Mikel Arteta’s assistant Miguel Molina phones Alvaro Morata to convince him to join Arsenal

Arsenal are ready to make an eleventh-hour move for Juventus frontman Alvaro Morata with Mikel Arteta’s assistant even phoning the striker, according to reports.

The Gunners had hoped to bring in a new forward this month but were thwarted in their attempts to sign Serie A topscorer Dusan Vlahovic – who instead moved to Juve – while Alexander Isak looks set to stay at Real Sociedad until the summer.

But Arsenal are looking very light up front after loaning out Folarin Balogun, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Eddie Nketiah could join him.

Barcelona are working on a deal to sign the Gabon international – who was banished from the Arsenal squad by Arteta – but need to offload Ousmane Dembele first, while contract rebel Nketiah is wanted by Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

If both players leave on deadline day, the Gunners will be left with just one senior striker for the rest of the season: Alexander Lacazette – who is also in the final six months of his contract.

But according to Spanish newspaper AS, Arsenal are still trying to bring in a new forward before Monday night’s deadline and are attempting to pull off a complicated deal for Morata.

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The Spain international is currently on loan at Juventus from Atletico Madrid, but the arrival of Vlahovic means the Old Lady would be prepared to terminate his loan.

He had been linked with a loan switch to Barcelona, but Atleti have made it clear they will not strengthen a rival and will only loan Morata to a foreign club.

That has alerted Arsenal to his availability and