Signed, sealed and delivered
Arsenal have bagged their first January transfer, with Barcelona confirming that winger Denis Suarez has joined the Gunners on an initial loan deal after the north London club agreed to pay his wages in full.
The 25-year-old has signed on for a five-month stint at the Emirates, but Arsenal have the option to make the move permanent for £18m in June.
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The Daily Mirror says that Suarez has also penned a new contract with Barcelona “in order to protect his market value should the move to the Emirates Stadium not work out”.
Suarez and Arsenal boss Unai Emery worked together for a brief spell at Sevilla during the 2014-15 season.
Although Barcelona later deleted the statement concerning Suarez’s departure to Arsenal, Sky Sports says the deal is done nevertheless, with official confirmation expected today from the London club.
Toffees cause sticky situation
Meanwhile, ESPN reports that if Arsenal are to sign versatile midfielder Christopher Nkunku, they need Paris Saint-Germain “to complete the signing of Everton’s Idrissa Gueye”.
According to the US-based site, the French champions will only agree to offload the 21-year-old if they have a replacement sorted. They had hoped to include Nkunku in the acquisition of Gueye, but the midfielder is refusing to join the Toffees because he has his heart set on Arsenal.
Everton “are more interested in right-back Thomas Meunier than Nkunku” anyway, says ESPN, which adds that some last-minute trading today could lead to Nkunku being granted his move.
Ozil says no to PSG
The Daily Mirror reports that Arsenal tried to swap Mesut Ozil for Nkunku, but the German “turned down a loan move to Paris Saint-Germain”. PSG are said to want him as a replacement for the injured Neymar, but Ozil insisted he wants to remain in London.
Competition for Carrasco
Arsenal could also have a fight on their hands for Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco. The Mirror reports that they are “facing late competition from AC Milan” for the Belgian’s signature.
The Italians are reported to have been in contact with Dalian Yifang after the Chinese side indicated they would be willing to loan out Carrasco.
Although Arsenal have been in discussions with the Belgian’s representatives, AC Milan have now come in to “try and rush through a deal before the deadline”.
Premier League results, fixtures and TV guide
Midweek results
- Arsenal 2 Cardiff City 1
- Fulham 4 Brighton and Hove Albion 2
- Huddersfield Town 0 Everton 1
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 3 West Ham United 0
- Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
- Newcastle United 2 Manchester City 1
- AFC Bournemouth 4 Chelsea 0
- Southampton 1 Crystal Palace 1
- Liverpool 1 Leicester City 1
- Tottenham Hotspur 2 Watford 1
FixturesSaturday 2 February (3pm unless stated)
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United (12.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Brighton and Hove Albion vs. Watford
- Burnley vs. Southampton
- Chelsea vs. Huddersfield Town
- Crystal Palace vs. Fulham
- Everton vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Cardiff City vs. AFC Bournemouth (5.30pm, live on BT Sport 1)
Sunday 3 February
- Leicester City vs. Manchester United (2.05pm, live on Sky Sports)
- Manchester City vs. Arsenal (4.30pm, live on Sky Sports)
Monday 4 February
- West Ham United vs. Liverpool (8pm, live on Sky Sports)
