Arsenal’s Takuma Asano has been such a flop on Hannover loan that Germans have frozen him out to avoid triggering permanent transfer

HANNOVER will reportedly refuse to play on-loan Arsenal striker Takuma Asano for the rest of the season in an attempt to avoid triggering a permanent transfer.

Asano joined the Bundesliga side at the start of this season, but has endured a torrid time managing just 13 league appearances - and failing to score a single goal.

Hannover director Martin Kind confirmed if the struggling striker is to make one more appearance, they will be obliged to pay a £2.6million permanent fee.

Due to the 24-year-old’s poor form Hannover chiefs have informed Arsenal they have no plans to follow through with the permanent deal - meaning Asano will be frozen out of the side for the rest of the season.

In the 700 minutes the striker has played in the league this season, he has only managed three shots on target and created two chances.

Asano came into the Hannover side off the back of two seasons playing in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart, where he managed five goals in 41 appearances.

Ex-Gunners boss Arsene Wenger signed the striker from Sanfrecce Hiroshimain 2016, and described him as: "A talented young striker and very much one for the future.”

The Japanese forward got off to a rocky start in England as he was denied a work permit to play in the Premier League.

Three seasons on from his initial signing, the striker is yet to play a game for Arsenal and is expected to be sold next season.

Gunners chiefs are looking for a summer overhaul at The Emirates in order to provide funds for Unai Emery.

Arsenal are looking to bring in a centre-half having struggled with injuries this season that has led to full-backs and midfielders filling the void in the backline.