Arsenal could be beaten to the signing of Steven N'Zonzi by Spanish champions Barcelona.
Gunners boss Unai Emery is keen to be reunited with the Sevilla winger ahead of first season at the Emirates.
But Arsenal have so far been reluctant to pay the World Cup winner’s £40million release clause.
And according to Barcelona-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the La Liga champions are ready to enter the race.
The Catalan club’s first choice is Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot but that move is dragging on.
Barca boss Ernesto Valverde does not want to wait until the end of the window to complete a move.
The Gunners had been hopeful of securing a cut-price deal for N'Zonzi.
So far Sevilla have insisted that the break fee must be met if he is going to be allowed to leave.
But reports in Spain claim that the La Liga club would be willing to reach a compromise - if a unique clause in his current contract is forfeited.
N'Zonzi's father is reported to hold a personal sell-on clause for his son, which Sevilla would rather not pay.
But according to Estadio Deportivo, they will allow N'Zonzi to move for less than the £36m they want if his dad will scrap his agreement.
Dimetri22
95
Steven Nzonzi is strong defensive midfielder. Although Busquet will always remain the first choice defensive midfielder and Rakitic can also to this role. But as we have seen in last season during Busquet injury Barcelona suffered because lack of quality midfielder on bench. Barcelona has recently bought Aurther to replace Inesta but he need some time to adopt. Barcelona still need one quality midfielder. Steven Nzonzi can provide necessary bench strength to squad. If Barcelona sign him then Rakitic can play in attacking midfielder role in absence of Busquet rather than in defence. Overall this man can be a great asset for Barcelona.
sunnysayus
81
Nzozi will be better at arsenal than Barca.He is a very good first team player at Sevilla and he has been winning trophies too.So sitting on the bench at barca will make him retrogress and he may not get his form back again.But if he can reunite with Unai Emery at Arsenal, they can achieve great things together.It will be a new challenge anyway but definitely,he will have enough chance to play and adapt.
Leieche02
64
Smh I'm saying it again. Barcelona has everything they need. They have mid-fielders, forwards defenders and goalkeepers. This is FAKE. Just tryna make Barcelona look like fools. SMH who ever wrote this needs help. I'm sorry but this is an overdue
Je1
11
Steven Nzonzi is strong defensive midfielder. Although Busquet will always remain the first choice defensive midfielder and Rakitic can also to this role. But as we have seen in last season during Busquet injury Barcelona suffered because lack of quality midfielder on bench. Barcelona has recently bought Aurther to replace Inesta but he need some time to adopt. Barcelona still need one quality midfielder. Steven Nzonzi can provide necessary bench strength to squad. If Barcelona sign him then Rakitic can play in attacking midfielder role in absence of Busquet rather than in defence. Overall this man can be a great asset for Barcelona.
that was what we thought when we bought Song some time ago. Sergi Roberto can play defensive midfield that's his natural position anyway, Rakitic can play there as well as the new boy Melo Arthur. they are over crowding the team. last year we bought Mina now wet want to sell him. these transfers don't make sense