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Report: Barcelona's Denis Suarez Gives 'Green Light' to Arsenal Transfer
November 18, 2018
Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez has reportedly given the "green light" to a possible move to Premier League side Arsenal.
According to AS (h/t Sport Witness), the 24-year-old has decided he needs to leave the Camp Nou due to a lack of playing time.
Suarez's preference is to move to the Premier League, and Arsenal are his "favourite option," although it is not clear if the Gunners have any interest in signing the Barcelona midfielder.
Suarez has yet to play a single minute in La Liga for Barcelona this season. His only appearance came in their Copa del Rey win over Cultural Leonesa in October.
He was handed the armband for the match but failed to impress against third-division opposition:
The midfielder has been at Barcelona since 2013. However, he's yet to make the breakthrough into the first team and has dropped further down the pecking order after the summer arrivals of Arthur and Arturo Vidal.
Young midfielder Carles Alena also appears to be ahead of Suarez in the reckoning. The 20-year-old came on as a substitute in Barcelona's last game against Real Betis while Suarez remained on the bench.
La Liga writer Andrew Gaffney explained why Alena is a better option for Barcelona than Suarez:
Andrew Gaffney @GaffneyVLC@AlexTruica @kevvwill I don’t think it’s fair to blame Valverde. Like Deulofeu, he simply hasn’t made the grade at Barcelona. Aleña is Denis but four years younger and arguably with greater potential (still too early to tell). Denis needs regular football and more consistent performances.
The Spaniard has asked his representatives to talk about his future with the club and decide if he should seek a move. He will not leave in January but could depart the club next summer, according to Sport.
A move away looks the best option for Suarez to revive his career. He does not appear to be in manager Ernesto Valverde's plans and is only likely to see game time in the Copa del Rey.
Suarez has been linked with numerous clubs in the past. Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri would like to sign him, while Marcelino would be happy to have him at Valencia, according to Ramiro Aldunate at Marca.
Barcelona have previously rejected offers from Serie A sides Napoli and Inter Milan, according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football Espana).
Meanwhile, Arsenal may be in the market for midfield reinforcements next summer. Aaron Ramsey is expected to leave and has attracted interest from Juventus and Bayern Munich, per Mike McGrath at The Sun.
Suarez may relish a move to England, as he has Premier League experience. The midfielder spent two years in Manchester City's academy system before returning to Spain with Barcelona.