Werder Bremen midfielder Mezut Ozil is a £15 million target for Arsenal.
The Daily Star says the Gunners are planning for life without skipper Cesc Fabregas by moving for Ozil.
But they have been told they will have to wait until the summer to snare the Werder Bremen midfielder.
Fab underlined his commitment to the Gunners' cause by making it eight goals for the season in the 4-1 demolition of AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday.
But the Spanish ace continues to be heavily linked with a return to boyhood club Barcelona at the end of the season.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger wants highly-rated Ozil to replace Fabregas' creative spark should the 22-year-old go.