Arsenal failed in their bid to sign Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz to ease their midfield injury crisis.
The 24-year-old, who has one year left on his contract and can sign a pre-contract with another club in January, was keen to go but Villa rejected three bids from the Gunners, the last being £25m plus add-ons.
Arsenal allowed Hector Bellerin to join Barcelona on a free transfer with a 25 per cent sell-on clause for the 27-year-old right back. He took a pay cut to sign a one-year deal with Barca, where he came through the academy.