According to Marca, Southampton have been blocked from signing Barcelona defender Junior Firpo before Monday’s transfer deadline.
It’s claimed that Southampton were willing to pay €1million (£900,000) to take Firpo on loan until the end of the season, covering his wages in the process.
There would also be an option to buy, but Ronald Koeman – the former Saints boss who is currently in charge at Barcelona – has blocked Firpo from leaving.
Koeman would have only let Firpo leave if Eric Garcia was coming in from Manchester City to bolster his back line, but that is no longer happening.
Granada and AC Milan also approached Barca about deals for Firpo, but they have been snubbed too, with the 24-year-old allegedly having doubts about leaving having recently become a father.
It seems that the Saints had picked out Firpo, formerly of Real Betis, as a potential replacement for Ryan Bertrand if he moved on.
The London Evening Standard reported last week that Arsenal want to sign Bertrand, viewing him as ideal competition for Kieran Tierney at left back.
Southampton lining up Firpo would have given Arsenal hope, but the failed move means the Gunners may now find it difficult to push through a late deal for Bertrand.
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