Arsenal could pay Jose Arnaiz’s release clause in January, despite FIFA regulations preventing a move, according to Marca.

Arnaiz has been a regular in the Barcelona B side since joining from Valladolid in the summer.

He leads the B team’s scoring charts this season and has been rewarded with appearances in the Barcelona first team.

According to Marca, Arsenal could pay the 22-year-old’s £17.7m release clause in January.

However, there would be a tiny problem with doing so.

FIFA regulations state that a player may only register for up to three clubs, and can only represent two in a season.

Arnaiz has been registered with Valladolid, Barcelona B and Barcelona.

If Arsenal pushed ahead and signed him mid-season, they’d be unable to register him to play.

So although Arsenal could do with bolstering their attack, it’d make sense to wait until the summer.

Arsenal have a history of signing young talent from Barcelona’s various teams.

Cesc Fabregas was the most famous arrival as a 15-year-old.

He was followed by Fran Merida, Jon Toral, Hector Bellerin and Ignasi Miquel.

Of the five, only Bellerin remains at the club.

Fabregas returned to Barelona and now plays for Chelsea.

Merida plays for Osasuna in the Spanish second division, Toral is at Hull and Miquel recently joined Malaga.