Bologna are unlikely to sell defender Takehiro Tomiyasu after August 20th, according to reports in the Italian media.

Arsenal were linked with the Japanese international in July, and it is believed the Gunners remain interested in the 22-year-old, who can play both as a centre-back and right-back.

Tottenham and Atalanta have previously made offers for Tomiyasu earlier in the transfer window but neither managed to meet Bologna’s asking price, which is believed to be in excess of €20m (£17m).

The Japanese defender is reportedly very keen on moving to the Premier League, and his representatives are thought to be trying an engineer a transfer before the end of the month.

This could, therefore, be just agent talk so we shall see if Arsenal’s apparent interest in Tomiyasu firms up before Bologna’s self-imposed deadline. The Gunners could do with a replacement for Hector Bellerin but funds will need to be raised through player sales first.