Arsenal will have to fend off Lille and Monaco if they want to sign Palmeiras midfielder Danilo, according to TNT Sports.

The Brazilian TV channel has also denied claims that the Gunners have made a formal bid for the 20-year-old, stating that “no proposal” is currently on the table.

Another report at the weekend suggested that Danilo had been the subject of a €25m (£20.9m) offer from Mikel Arteta’s side but it appears that is not the case.

Arsenal are actively looking to strengthen their midfield this month. It is believed that two other Brazilians, Lyon’s Bruno Guimaraes and Juventus’s Arthur are also being considered but no decision has been made on the London club’s primary target.

With Thomas Partey away at the African Cup of Nations, the Gunners only other senior central midfielders Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga will be heavily relied upon, but reinforcements may be brought in sooner rather than later.