Arsenal close to signing Barcelona’s Denis Suárez on loan

Denis Suárez is close to a loan move from Barcelona to Arsenal for the remainder of the season, with his advisers in the final stages of negotiations.

Arsenal are unable to make permanent signings this month because of their high net spend of £63.8m from last summer but they are in discussions over an option to purchase Suárez at the end of the season. The option is the final obstacle to the deal going through. Arsenal want it to be non-compulsory.

Suárez, who played under Unai Emery at Sevilla in 2014-15, has barely featured for Barcelona this season, making only eight appearances – two of them as a starter in the Copa del Rey.

Following the 2-1 win over Cardiff on Tuesday night, Emery said: “My idea is the same. If we can sign one player to come and help us that is good for us. We need wingers. And if one player like Denis Suárez … I know him because he played with me in Sevilla. His qualities are this [as a winger].

Barcelona have tried to push him towards making a permanent move this month and he has had offers, including one from Real Betis, but the 25-year-old midfielder has made it clear he wants to go to Arsenal.

Arsenal have to plan for the exit of Aaron Ramsey at the end of the season – he has agreed to join Juventus on a Bosman deal – and Suárez is a midfielder with good technique and positional sense, blessed with touch and vision. He tends to play on the left of a midfield three or an attacking three.

It has been reported in Spain that Suárez will sign a contract extension at Barcelona to 2021, so they can protect their asset, and that the loan fee will be £2m. Suárez’s deal expires in the summer of 2020. He spent two seasons at Manchester City from the age of 17, when he made two appearances in the League Cup.

Quick Guide

Live Premier League football on UK TV this week

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(All times GMT)

Sat 2 Feb 
Tottenham v Newcastle Utd 12.30pm (Sky Sports Main Event)
Cardiff City v Bournemouth 5.30pm (BT Sport 1)
Sun 3 Feb 
Leicester City v Man Utd 2.05pm (Sky Sports Main Event)
Man City v Arsenal 4.30pm (Sky Sports Main Event)

Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP