According to Spanish journalist Gerardo Romero, Arsenal are ‘close to agreement’ for young Barcelona defender Joel Lopez. Head of Football Relations Raul Sanllehi reportedly persuaded the coveted fullback to reject Liverpool’s advances this summer.
Sanllehi left Barcelona to join Arsenal in February and will no doubt have been using his links with his former club to get this deal over the line. The Gunners have made a lot of signing from Barcelona previously – Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin, Fran Merida, Ignasi Miquel and Jon Toral – and Lopez could be next for a bargain, as Arsenal only need to pay his training fees.