Arsene Wenger has suggested that he will only allow Olivier Giroud to leave Arsenal this month if he first brings in a replacement striker.
The Gunners have so far been left frustrated in their pursuit of top target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who Borussia Dortmund reportedly value at £60m - £16m more than Arsenal have so far offered.
Should Aubameyang arrive in the next five days, however, Giroud will be pushed further down the pecking order and Wenger will consider offloading if any formal offers arrive.
Wenger, who has already sold Theo Walcott to Everton in a £20m deal this window, told reporters at Friday's presser: "I want Olivier to stay. If nobody comes in, nobody goes out. Maybe one or two of the young players on loan somewhere but the experienced side of the squad will remain the same unless somebody comes in.
"I am looking forward to every end of the transfer window. It's not hard work. It's disturbing. We are here to work, that is our job and we want to do well. We do not complain about the work. You want your energy in the team, in the dressing room to be focused on the next game. As long as the transfer window is open, that is not always the case.
"It's more of a difficulty on the mental front than the working front. I have a consistent exchange with Giroud. He played many games in the Europa League and came on in the Premier League and scored important goals for us, he's an important player here who everyone wants to stay and has high respect for.
"He will certainly get more games and can only leave if someone else comes in. Yes we lost Theo and without getting anyone for Olivier it will be too many players to leave."
Giroud, also linked with a surprise move to Chelsea, has just one Premier League start to his name this season.
Daniel Lewis
