Denis Suarez
Reports from Europe indicate that Arsenal are thrashing out a deal with Barcelona to sign Denis Suarez after the midfielder agreed personal terms over a move.
Suarez has been strongly linked with a move to north London in recent weeks after making it clear he wants a fresh challenge having failed to establish himself under Ernesto Valverde at the Nou Camp this season.
The 25-year-old has played just eight minutes of La Liga football so far this campaign and has reportedly informed Barca he wants to be reunited with Emery at Arsenal having played under the Spaniard during their time together at Sevilla.
Marca are reporting that Suarez has agreed terms with Arsenal over the move and Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has now personally got involved in negotiations after promising the midfielder he can leave this month.
However, the Spanish newspaper says there is yet to be an agreement between the two clubs as Arsenal want to sign Suarez on an initial loan while Barcelona want to sell in a permanent deal worth around £9m – £13.5m.
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Negotiations are continuing but Marca suggest the most likely outcome is for Arsenal to sign Suarez on loan this month with a compulsory option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season included in the deal.
The key issue is that Arsenal don’t have funds available to buy players in January and Emery confirmed this during his press conference yesterday ahead of Saturday’s trip to West Ham.
The Gunners boss was quizzed about the reported interest in Suarez and while Emery gave little away he did confirm the club are working on possible signings but any arrivals will have to be loan deals.
Emery is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News: “We cannot sign anyone permanently. Only loan players this January.”
“I do not know his [Suarez] situation. But I know the club is working for the possibility of players who can help us with this condition (on loan).”
“The club is working, telling me each moment different situations can happen. At the moment, I haven’t got any news.”
Arsenal’s financial situation is expected to ease in the summer once money comes in from various commercial and TV deals but for now the club are working on a tight budget so can only bring in players on loan this month.
Suarez’s asking price will drop considerably by the summer as he has just 18 months left on his contract so understandably Barcelona want to protect his value now by demanding either a permanent sale or a guarantee any loan would turn permanent at the end of the season.
