Arsenal played it straight with Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic last month.

That's according to BBC Sport journalist David Ornstein.

He told Arseblog: “Arsenal were in direct contact with Perisic and communicating they would do everything to make the deal happen.

“What was clear to all targets during the window was they could be taken on loan with an option to buy, not an obligation.

“They told that to the very people they were targeting. And although they tried to be creative with Perisic - I know for a fact by even offering a penalty fee if the option to buy didn't become an obligation.

“In the case of Inter, they were just interested in that."