Arsenal reportedly face competition from rivals Manchester United for the signature of Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
The Greece international was thought to be on his way to North London, having been offered a two-year deal to make him the first arrival of the post-Arsene Wenger era.
After failing to get a move over the line, however, German outlet WAZ indicates that Man United have now made an enquiry of their own as they too are looking to strengthen their defensive ranks.
Sokratis is into the final year of his Dortmund contract and is allegedly available for £17.5m, with the Bundesliga outfit resigned to losing him and already seeking a replacement.
Arsenal may still have an advantage over United, though, as head of recruitment Sven Mislintat helped take Sokratis to Dortmund from Werder Bremen in 2013.