Arsene Wenger is "80%" certain of making a deadline-day signing - but it will not be Schalke's Julian Draxler.
The Arsenal manager has seen his midfield options dwindle significantly in recent days following Mathieu Flamini's red card at Southampton and injury setbacks for Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere.
Wenger chasing one more

Ramsey will miss up to six more weeks, and Wenger plans to enter the market with a run of games against Liverpool (twice), Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the offing.
But, speaking as the window entered its final few hours, he again dismissed reports of an imminent move for £37m-rated Draxler.
"The Draxler situation has been created by the newspapers, not by me," he said. "You ask me 'what is the situation?' I say nothing is happening on that front. He will stay at Schalke.

DEADLINE DAY

 

"At the moment we need more midfielders. We are open-minded, active and look at the opportunities.
"We still try to bring at least one body in because we are hit now by the red card of Flamini, the setback of Ramsey, the fact that Wilshere is not available, though I hope that will be short-term.
"We are short and I am confident we will bring someone in today. It is 80-20."
Schalke chief Horst Heldt insists that Draxler is staying with the club for the rest of the season and 'probably' beyond.
Neville on Arsenal business

"I am very sure that Julian will play in the second half for us - and probably beyond," sporting director Heldt said.
"We are not interested in letting Julian go and he has also not come to us with the wish to leave the club.
"Of course, there is always interest in him and if someone was to come and make a serious offer for him, then we would have to deal with that professionally.
"That applies not only for Julian, but for any other player."