According to reports by The Mirror, Barcelona star Denis Suarez has been linked to joining his former coach Unai Emery at Arsenal.
Since his big move to Barcelona in 2015, the defensive midfielder has really struggled to cement his place in the starting team, having been restricted to just 45 appearances in two-and-a-half years at the Camp Nou. He has played 221 minutes this season but only 17 of them have come in the league.
Emery has done fairly so far in the season and must aim to finish on a high note. In fact, he should target glory in the Europa League and the FA Cup and finish in the top-four in the Premier League as well. The season is going to get tougher from now on and Emery needs to add an option in the midfield to bolster his team’s chances of coping with a busy schedule ahead.
The Arsenal manager worked with Suarez during his time at Sevilla during the 2014-15 season. The Spaniard is under contract with Barcelona until 2020 and would cost around £15m (h/t The Mirror). The Spaniard could be a perfect replacement for the outbound Aaron Ramsey, who would be leaving after his contract expires in the summer.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde may allow Suarez to leave in the summer with Adrien Rabiot set to leave PSG for free after his contract expires in the summer to join the Catalan giants.
The midfielder who turned 25 recently should be tempted to play for his former coach Emery. Suarez was signed in the summer of 2011 by Manchester City and after spending two years in their Academy team, he was sold to Barcelona in 2013. He has struggled ever since and has been loaned out, sold and re-signed in the space of just two years.
At 25, Suarez would want to be at a club where he gets regular playing time and an opportunity to showcase his talent. In 2015, when he was signed by the Catalan giants and a lot was expected from the youngster but he has failed to deliver on those expectations.
But its wrong to put the blame on the Spaniard since Barcelona’s midfield has always been rich. After the arrivals of Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal in the summer, lack of game time for the Spaniard was on the cards even though he had a decent last season.
Arsenal can provide him with the option of regular football and an opportunity to rebuild his reputation and career. As far as the Gunners are concerned, signing Suarez would be a bargain, given the potential the 25-year-old has shown at times. If the deal goes through, the Spaniard could prove to be an important signing for the Gunners ahead of the busy schedule.
