Arsenal are worried their move for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain could be hijacked by a big-spending rival.
According to the Daily Star, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is concerned that the deal is yet to be finalised with the Santiago Bernabeu club and fears a bid from a rival.
The report claims personal terms with Higuain have all been sorted and he is ready to make the switch as soon as Real Madrid and Arsenal can come to an agreement over a fee.
£19million is the sum mooted in this report, but £22million has been mentioned as the likely fee elsewhere and some reports have claimed Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is even holding out for as much as £30million.
Despite Arsenal getting ready to go on an unprecedented spending spree this summer, they do not have the clout to match the transfer fees and wages on offer from the likes of Chelsea, PSG and Manchester City.
Higuain is still expected to eventually move to Emirates Stadium, however, and he has been tipped to make a similar impact as Robin van Persie did with the Gunners and Manchester United.
Argentina legend Ossie Ardiles believes his compatriot has the talent to take the Premier League by storm once he settles in.