Arsenal have opened talks with Barcelona over the signing of Denis Suarez, according to reports.
The 24-year-old Spanish midfielder has been linked with a move away from Barcelona due to lack of playing time, with Arsenal one of the touted destinations. Their manager, Unai Emery, confirmed on Saturday he would like to sign a centre-back and versatile winger this month.
Will Arsenal sign Suarez? Five key things to know…
- Suarez returned to Barcelona in 2016 after leaving their youth team one year prior but never been a consistent starter.
- Upon Andres Iniesta’s departure, Suarez spoke of his aims to stay and fight for a spot.
- But the Spaniard has been restricted to just four substitute appearances in La Liga this season.
- And, according to reports, Arsenal have opened talks with Barcelona over a potential £20m deal.
- Emery told reporters the Gunners are “working” to sign a winger this month.
With Andres Iniesta leaving Barcelona in the summer, Suarez had hoped he would get his chance in the Barcelona team. But the signing of Arturo Vidal and emergence of Arthur and Carles Alena has kept the Spaniard on the sidelines.
Suarez has previously spoken of his unhappiness at Barcelona, and the Guardian say Arsenal are hopeful of signing him this month.
Despite bringing in Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi in the summer, Arsenal will need to plan ahead to replace the outgoing Aaron Ramsey whose contract is up at the end of the season.
However, there is also the possibility of Suarez playing as a winger for Emery, with the Gunners boss hinting at a potential move.
When asked about Suarez after Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Blackpool in the FA Cup, Emery said: “I think the club is working for the possibility to take some players who can help us during these next four months.
“Maybe the transfer market can help us with a centre-back, but it is not easy because also [Konstantinos] Mavropanos is also coming back after injury.
“Also a winger, right or left, one player can help us in this position. He [Suarez] was playing as a left or right winger for Sevilla when he was with me.”
Arsenal and Barcelona are said to have opened talks. It is claimed there is ‘keenness on both sides’ to complete a deal this month and Suarez, who has entered the last 18 months of his current deal, is valued at £20m.
‘Unai Emery exceptional in how he treats players’
Should Suarez sign for Arsenal in January, it would not be the first time the midfielder has played under the current Gunners boss.
Suarez spent a year on loan at Sevilla during the 2014/15 season while Emery was in charge of the Andalusian club.
During that time, Suarez played 46 matches across all competitions including nine in the Europa League en route to winning the trophy.
“He is one of the best coaches around. He really gets the best out of us,” Suarez told Uefa’s official website in 2015.
“He considers each and every one of his players and always puts those who are in the best possible shape in his starting line-up.
“I have been playing for him for a year and I am really happy.
“He always talks to you, both in good moments – to prevent you being distracted – and bad, to help you recover. The way he treats players is exceptional.”
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