Arsenal are reportedly ready to make a £20m move for German international Christoph Kramer in January.
Kramer is currently playing for Borussia Monchengladbach on a two-season loan deal from parent club Bayer Leverkusen.
However, the Daily Mail claims that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will try to sign the defensive midfielder in January rather than recruit a stop-gap player.
Wenger may face a struggle to sign Kramer, who is thought to be high on his list of transfer targets, as Bayer are said to be reluctant to sell the 23-year-old.
Arsenal may instead turn their attention to Southampton's French international Morgan Schneiderlin, if they fail to force a deal through for the World Cup winner.
Kramer started this summer's World Cup final against Argentina, but was forced off due to concussion.
