Arsenal face having to extend Henrikh Mkhitaryan's contract in order to assist a long-term sale to Roma.
The Daily Star says Mkhitaryan is currently on loan at Roma, who are under no obligation to buy when that deal runs out this summer.
And although the Gunners are willing to listen to offers for the 31-year-old, who has no future at the Emirates, there has been no interest in taking him on a permanent deal.
Now, Roma have offered to take him on another season-long loan with an obligation to buy in June 2021 for a set fee.
But that would require Arsenal to first extend his current deal, which runs out the same month.
Roma do not want to stump up a transfer fee to sign him permanently now, and are hoping to bring him back on a short-term deal.