Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has revealed that Arsenal are optimistic of securing the signature of Denis Suarez from Barcelona during the winter transfer window.
The Spain international has been earmarked as the prime target for manager Unai Emery this month with his versatility to feature in both the central midfield and wider attacking positions.
Speaking on The Transfer Talk Podcast h/t The Express, Sheth has indicated that the Gunners are still in discussions over a loan deal for the Spaniard and they may need to fulfil a condition.
The Blaugrana are currently more than open to sanctioning a loan move for Suarez but they are said to want the Gunners to include a compulsory buy option.
He said: “As it stands, we’re talking about Arsenal only wanting loans. They want to bring Barcelona’s Denis Suarez in on a loan move. Barcelona would, we think, be happy to do a deal, but provided it came with an obligation to buy Denis Suarez in the summer.”
Emery has already confirmed that the club are unlikely to pursue permanent deals for any targets this month and the same appears to be holding up a potential move for Suarez.
Nonetheless, the club are making progress towards a winter agreement for the midfielder, who has a close association with Emery from their days at ex-club Sevilla.
Arsenal’s reduced attacking depth has affected their performances over the past month and the most-recent defeat at West Ham has dropped them six points behind the top four.
Next up, they are scheduled to tackle Chelsea this weekend and they face a potential must-win situation to close the gap on the Blues, who are occupying the final Champions League qualification spot.
