Ever Banega is reportedly turning down the chance to move to Arsenal this summer, preferring to remain with his current club, Sevilla, in Spain.

Spanish outlet Marca write that the player wants to stay in Andalusia, and has reassured his manager of that fact. Despite interest from Arsenal, he has no plans to move, and is even considering a contract renewal.

Banega has a €20m release clause, which isn’t particularly substantial for a club like Arsenal. If the Argentine midfielder had been keen to join his former coach Unai Emery in the Premier League, it would’ve been difficult for Sevilla to stop him. However, given the player’s reluctance to leave, a transfer now seems very unlikely.

Arsenal are closing in on a move for Lucas Torreira, but it does seem like they’re still in the market for another midfielder. It makes some sense, given the departures of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the past year, with no one joining to replace any of them so far.

Perhaps the Gunners will now turn to Banega’s Sevilla teammate Steven N’Zonzi, as the media love to report every few days. We’ll see what happens as we begin the final month of the English window next week.