Arsenal have reportedly launched a late bid to prevent Liverpool winning the race to sign Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin.
Both clubs, along with Manchester United, have shown interest in Sahin for some time, and the 23-year-old has already been told he can leave the Bernabeu this season should he wish to find a new club.
In the last 48 hours Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign the Turkey international, and reports on Thursday night had suggested Reds boss Brendan Rodgers was hoping to complete a season-long loan deal for the former Borussia Dortmund player before this weekend's Premier League opener at West Brom.
But according to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have made a last minute attempt to hijack Rodgers' move for the Turkey international as speculation continues that Alex Song is set to follow Robin van Persie out of the exit door at Emirates Stadium.
Song is a £15million target for Spanish giants Barcelona.
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is known to be keen for Sahin to move to Liverpool as they would prefer him to join a club not playing in the Champions League - despite the player being keen on playing in the competition.
But according to Friday's report, Arsenal are hoping Sahin can replace Song in their midfield for this season's European campaign.
Bookmakers Sky Bet at time of writing make Liverpool the huge odds-on favourites to sign Sahin this month, with the former Borussia Dortmund player just 4/7 to move to Anfield before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
"He’s a young boy, he wants to play every match," said Mourinho last week.
"He wants to be happy to play, he wants to play to be happy."
The Special One also said the decision of whether Sahin leaves the Spanish capital would be down to the player himself.
"Real Madrid is very difficult. It is not an easy club, because we demand a lot," he added.
"We have great players, and when you don’t start well, it is difficult to do it.
"If he stays, he’s not a problem for me, he’s one more solution. We leave [the situation] in his hands."