Achraf Hakimi was Arsenal’s “main target” to strengthen at right-back earlier in the transfer window, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Moroccan international was also the subject of offers from Chelsea before he eventually made the €70m (£60m) switch to Paris Saint-Germain, and Romano says the Gunners are still looking at alternative targets:

“The main target for RB was Hakimi at the start of the window… but it was impossible… they now need to find a good solution but it isn’t easy… I expect the final two weeks to be very busy for Arsenal.”

The decision to go after Hakimi in the first place will raise a few eyebrows. Although Inter were interested in Hector Bellerin, which could have led to a possible swap deal, it’s unlikely that Hakimi would have been interested in a move to the Emirates anyway.

Especially with PSG and Chelsea both in the race for the 22-year-old’s signature, it seems strange that Arsenal tried to compete with them for the wingback, despite the fact they couldn’t offer any European football.

Being overambitious in the transfer market is likely why the club have found themselves in the situation they are in now; scrambling to bring in new additions before the window closes.