Negotiations between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest over a deal for Nuno Tavares are becoming increasingly 'complicated', according to reports.
Steve Cooper's side had expressed an interest in signing the Gunners left-back earlier this week.
It comes as the Tricky Trees have also tabled a £30million offer to sign Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana this week.
They are also hoping to land Tavares, who seems to no longer be in Mikel Arteta's immediate plans for the season having spent the 2022-23 campaign out on loan with Marseille.
But according to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations to sign the Portugal U21 are 'not easy' and have been 'getting more complicated'.
The Italian journalist wrote on Twitter: 'Understand talks between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal for Nuno Tavares are not easy — deal getting complicated at this stage.
'There are other options for Nuno now.'
It comes after left-back Renan Lodi has moved back to his parent club, Atletico Madrid, following the completion of his loan deal with the Garibaldi.
Cooper has already looked to find new talent on the left side of the pitch, having acquired left-winger Anthony Elanga from Manchester United this summer.
But it seems he is also looking for more options to compete with Harry Tofolo and Omar Richards on the left side of his defence.
Tavares, meanwhile, has caught the attention of clubs around Europe with Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg both previously being interested in his availability.
The 23-year-old impressed during his loan spell in France scoring 6 goals in 31 appearances.
He has also previously admitted that he 'wanted to stay' at the Emirates Stadium and fight for a place in Arteta's side.
Tavares joined the north London outfit from Benfica back in 2021 and has gone on to play 28 times while returning one goal and two assists for the Gunners.