Arsenal have reportedly opted against pursuing a deal for out-of-sorts Inter Milan playmaker Christian Eriksen amid transfer links.
Eriksen has become a marginal figure since swapping Tottenham Hotspur for Inter Milan back in January.
His inability to adapt to a new life in Italy and a series of underwhelming performances have seen the 28-year-old Dane make just 11 Serie A starts.
Antonio Conte has already decided to put the ex-Ajax star up for sale and is ready to ship him out in the January transfer market.
The news of Eriksen’s imminent departure from the Giuseppe Meazza has put several of Europe’s top clubs on red alert.
Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and Paris Saint-Germain have all emerged as potential suitors for the creative midfielder.
However, according to the Daily Star, the Gunners have left the race, as Mikel Arteta hopes to land a top-class defender this winter.
Arteta will turn down the possibility of hiring Eriksen even if the opportunity presents itself in January.
Such a decision may come as some surprise considering Arsenal’s lack of firepower up front.
The Londoners have mustered only nine Premier League goals this season, with just four sides producing fewer shots on target.
Waiting for Willian to settle in the new environment, Arteta’s forwards have failed to live up to expectations at the beginning of the season.
But, the Spanish manager is keen to reinforce his backline instead of splashing out the money for new attackers.
Defenders David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi, and Sokratis will all become free agents at the end of the season. Meanwhile, William Saliba has yet to impress the Gunners boss.
As a consequence, Arteta is keen to bolster his defensive options in the middle of the season.
His decision comes as a transfer boost to both PSG and Dortmund, who are now the only real contenders for Eriksen’s signature.
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