Brentford's move for Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom has been delayed due to a striker shortage at the Emirates.
The Bees were close to signing the highly-rated 18-year-old, as revealed last week by the Chronicle.
But with Theo Walcott set for six months on the sidelines after rupturing his cruciate ligament and Nicklas Bendtner out for four weeks with an ankle injury, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger needs cover in attack.
Brentford boss Mark Warburton was in the stands as the youngster smashed a hat-trick in the north Londoners' 6-1 FA Youth Cup romp against Peterborough United on Monday night.
Posh, Leyton Orient and MK Dons are also fighting it out for his signature, but the Bees remain front of the queue.
However, Arsenal have put the buffers on any move for Akpom for the time being, with their striking options limited following Walcott's injury at the weekend.
The blow means Brentford are unlikely to allow frontman Farid El Alagui to leave the club.
Fleetwood Town had expressed an interest in the Moroccan marksman , who has made just one league start all season.
