Arsenal’s move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Christopher Nkunku fell through because of Sven Mislintat, according to a report.

A picture shows the haircut of Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder Christopher Nkunku during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Saint-Etienne (ASSE) at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on September 14, 2018. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images)
A picture shows the haircut of Paris Saint-Germain’s French midfielder Christopher Nkunku during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Saint-Etienne (ASSE) at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on September 14, 2018. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images)

David Ornstein has suggested that PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel may have ended up halting talks for the 21-year-old over disagreements with Arsenal’s Sven Mislintat. The two previously clashed during their time at Borussia Dortmund, with Tuchel banning Mislintat from training at one stage.

Ornstein said (via Express): “The latest understanding is that Thomas Tuchel has vetoed it. He doesn’t want it to happen, he wants Nkunku to be available to him to play, he’s got a lot on the line.

“There is also some politics at play of course. There was a tempestuous end to the relationship between Tuchel and Mislintat [at Borussia Dortmund].”

Other outlets like FotbollTransfers have seemingly taken the quotes and run with them, claiming the disagreement was the sole cause of the breakdown in talks. Mislintat is set to leave Arsenal on February 8th anyway, so it would be a real shame if that was a key reason the move didn’t go through. There are other explanations though.

Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (L) is congratulated by Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder Christopher Nkunku after scoring a goal during the French League Cup round of sixteen football match Orleans vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), on December 18, 2018 at La Source stadium in Orleans. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (L) is congratulated by Paris Saint-Germain’s French midfielder Christopher Nkunku after scoring a goal during the French League Cup round of sixteen football match Orleans vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), on December 18, 2018 at La Source stadium in Orleans. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty Images)

We know from Ornstein‘s previous reports on the deal that PSG wanted to bring in cover before they let Nkunku leave. The French club were linked with moves for the likes of Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and DC United’s Luciano Acosta, but neither deal ended up going through. That’s certainly an alternative explanation for why they held onto Nkunku.

There’s no reason Arsenal can’t revive the deal in the summer though.

If Mislintat really was the problem, he’s leaving anyway. Either way, The Gunners will see their negotiating position strengthened by Nkunku continuing to run his contract down. By the end of this season, the versatile midfielder will have just a year left on his deal. We’ll see if that helps Arsenal complete a permanent transfer.