Galatasaray reportedly made a last-minute move to sign Emile Smith Rowe on loan until the end of the season with their transfer window due to close on Sunday 5 March and the Turkish club eager to bolster their attack in the hopes of winning the title.

The Lions are currently at the top of the table, but they are just six points ahead of Fenerbahce in second place. By bringing in Smith Rowe, they hoped to give themselves an extra edge as they compete in the remainder of the season.

Smith Rowe, who has struggled to get game time at Arsenal this season due to injuries, could benefit from the loan move, claimed the report, which simply noted his lack of game time, not the reasons for it.

It then went on to claim that, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may not have immediate plans for Smith Rowe this season, the midfielder is still under contract with the club until 2026. Galatasaray are unable to afford a permanent deal for the midfielder, who is valued at €38m.

He is, of course, not for sale and this is all just nonsense from the Turkish press about a player Galatasaray were never going to be able to sign. Standard fare, really, although in recent years clubs in Turkey have actually started signing some of the million players they are improbably linked to every window.

The Turkish transfer window has been extended due to the recent earthquake in the region, giving Galatasaray more time to complete the deal, says the report.

That won’t be happening.