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Denis Suarez to Arsenal: Barcelona man has been convinced to join Gunners, deal close
BARCELONA’s Denis Suarez is closing in on a move to Arsenal, it has been reported.
Suarez has found first-team football hard to come by this season, making a paltry six appearances for the La Liga champions.
The Spain international’s lack of game time prompted Arsenal boss Unai Emery to inquire about acquiring his services this month.
And according to Goal, the north Londoners are on the verge of signing the 25-year-old.
On Thursday evening, they reported the midfielder is on course to sign a loan deal with the Gunners, which they speculate could become a permanent one in the summer.
They claim Emery has ‘convinced’ the former Manchester City man to move to the Emirates and that he will continue to warm the bench should he remain at the Nou Camp.
Arsenal’s head of football Raul Sanllehi is also said to have played a key role in getting the loan deal across the line.
On Thursday afternoon, Emery admitted the only business the club would do this month would see them sign players on a temporary basis.
“I don’t know his [Suarez] situation now,” said Emery. “We can only sign players later on.
Arsenal are said to be closing in on a loan deal for Denis Suarez
“I know the club is working on possibilities of which players can help us with big performances like we need now.”
Suarez shouldn’t have too much difficulty adapting to Emery’s style of football as he played under him during his one-year loan spell with Sevilla.
His time at the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan was a resounding success as he made 36 appearances for the Andalusian club and scored seven goals.
Suarez’s seemingly imminent arrival at Arsenal will partially soften the blow of Aaron Ramsey’s impending departure.
The Wales international is out of contract at the end of the season and is understood to have agreed a deal to join Italian champions Juventus in the summer.
Emery bears no ill will towards Ramsey for opting to join the Old Lady, who are reportedly planning on announcing the signing of the 28-year-old after next Wednesday’s Italian Super Cup match against AC Milan.
"My idea and focus, I say to him every day, is with us," Emery said of Ramsey.
"We need his performances for us and the last matches I am very happy with him.
"I asked him in the last match at Blackpool if he's ok to help us play, he said yes I want to play.
"He played with a big commitment to us.
"His future is individually for him, for his family, his agent. Every training day with us he is working very well and I want his behaviour and focus the same for West Ham on Saturday."
Arsenal will next be in action on Saturday afternoon, welcoming West Ham to the Emirates.