Arsenal have ended their pursuit of Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, according to The Express.

The English tabloid claims that the Gunners held “exploratory transfer talks” to determine whether a deal was possible ahead of deadline day.

However, after hearing that Galatasaray were demanding that clubs pay Nelsson’s £21m release clause, Mikel Arteta’s side decided to withdraw their interest.

The Express report that the Dane, who has been capped 10 times by his country, was being considered by Arsenal as a potential replacement for Jurrien Timber.

With the Dutchman expected to miss the majority of the season after picking up a serious knee injury, the Gunners have been searching the market for possible alternatives.

Nelsson could still end up in the Premier League

Arsenal are said to be just one of three English clubs who have weighed up making a move for the 24-year-old this summer.

North London rivals Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are also reportedly interested in Nelsson so a transfer to the Premier League ahead of Friday’s deadline is still a possibility.

Will Arsenal consider pursuing other targets?

The Gunners have also been linked with Torino’s Perr Schuurs over the past week, although the Dutchman’s asking price is thought to be even higher than Nelsson’s so that avenue is unlikely to be explored either.

Considering Timber started his first couple of games at left-back, the club’s recruitment department may look to strengthen that position instead.

With Kieran Tierney having moved to La Liga side Real Sociedad on loan, and Nuno Tavares poised to join Forest on a temporary basis as well, it is an area of the pitch that does need to be reinforced. While Takehiro Tomiyasu can cover for Oleksandr Zinchenko on the left-hand side of defence, both players are rather injury prone so Arteta may want an additional option there.