Arsenal have reportedly placed emphasis on signing out-of-favour Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig during the January transfer window.

The Spain Under-21 international stayed put at Camp Nou over the summer despite being heavily linked with a move elsewhere, although the midfielder is yet to start a game under Ronald Koeman this season.

Koeman recently hinted that Puig has not been working hard enough in the training camps, and now the 21-year-old is expected to be made available on loan next month.

According to The Athletic, the Gunners have identified Puig as a potential solution in the middle of the pitch, with the North Londoners keen to address their goalscoring problems heading into the rest of the season.

The report claims that a move for Lyon’s Houssem Aouar is almost dead, but the Premier League giants could also attempt to swoop for Julian Brandt or Emiliano Buendia if a deal for Puig does not happen.

Leeds United have also been credited with an interest in the Spaniard.