West Ham United are chasing Arsenal defender Sebastien Squillaci.
The Sun says Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has made a move to sign Squillaci on loan.
But the plan has stalled because the Gunners are desperate to offload the French defender on a permanent deal.
West Ham need cover while centre-half Winston Reid recovers from a dislocated shoulder.
But FIFA rules mean a player can only be registered with two teams in a season and lending Squillaci would rule out flogging him in January - unless the Hammers bought him.