Arsenal have suffered a blow to their efforts to sign a new defender after Barcelona target Jeremy Mathieu picked up an injury during the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla.
Mathieu suffered a hamstring injury during the 2-0 victory over Sevilla according to the official club website and could be out for up to three weeks.
The Gunners have been linked with Mathieu according to the Evening Standard but head coach Arsene Wenger is in urgently in need of defensive reinforcement following injuries to Per Mertesacker (knee), Gabriel Paulista (ankle) and Laurent Koscienly lacking match fitness.
Barcelona are expected to allow Mathieu to leave after signing Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne already over the transfer window.
The experienced defender is unlikely to get much first-team action this season as a result of the recent defensive transfers.
The 32-year-old France international missed Euro 2016 through injury and has years of top-level domestic and European competition experience.
Arsenal could face competition from Liverpool who are reported to be considering a €7 million move for the defender according to Sport.
Follow Emre Sarigul @Turkish_Futbol