Arsenal are reportedly in a battle with club legend Thierry Henry to sign Atletico Madrid winger Gelson Martins. Henry is manager of relegation threatened Ligue 1 side Monaco and wants to sign the 23-year-old.
The Gunners are understood to have made an offer to sign Martins on loan but Monaco could hijack the deal. The Portuguese winger only joined Atletico in the summer after joining from Sporting Lisbon.
In Portugal he reportedly requested his contract be terminated at the club following an incident where supporters invaded their training facility and assaulted several players and members of staff.
Martins then signed a five-year contract with the La Liga club but has only made eight league appearances all season. Portuguese publication O Jogo claims Arsenal have submitted a bid to sign him on loan while they also report Henry’s Monaco have made a similar approach.
The Ligue 1 club have already brought in four players this month, including Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea.
Arsenal have been linked with several players during the January transfer window but can only make loan signings.