Arsenal are likely to turn to different midfield targets in the summer, rather than returning to Juventus for Arthur, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking to the Here We Go podcast, Fabrizio Romano reported that Arsenal are already scouring the market for midfielders ahead of the summer transfer window, reiterating that Mohamed Elneny is set to leave the club on a free transfer.

Romano adds that whilst Arsenal “wanted Arthur (of Juventus) in January” he thinks “they’ll go for different targets in the summer”, contrary to other recent reports from Italy.

That’s not entirely surprising news. Arsenal’s pursuit of a loan deal for Arthur in January made sense as a short-term solution, but you’d hope they had something longer term planned for the summer.

The failure to reach an agreement with Juventus in January would also likely hold Arsenal back from another attempt to sign Arthur.

Arsenal’s initial plan was to sign Arthur on loan for six months, but Juventus pushed for 18. Arsenal technical director Edu and Juventus’ Federico Cherubini eventually agreed on an 18-month loan with a €40m option to buy, but the Arsenal hierarchy then decided against it.

The only difference in the summer will be six months off Arthur’s current deal with Juventus.

Unless that leads the Serie A club to significantly alter their demands, it seems likely Arsenal will indeed look elsewhere.