Ever Banega is reportedly ‘reflecting’ on Arsenal’s offer after the club met with his agent.
The 30-year-old midfielder is out of contract in the summer and has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal and a reunion with his former boss, Unai Emery.
It was reported on Friday that Arsenal had tabled a ‘concrete offer’ for the player after his agent was reportedly in London.
According to reports, however, Banega has still not decided if he wants to leave Sevilla or not.
Radio La Red, back in Banega’s home country of Argentina, recently reported that Boca Juniors got in contact with the player to gauge his interest in a move back to the club that first gave him a chance in senior football.
However, they were informed that Arsenal have already tabled a ‘concrete offer’ for the midfielder.
Banega is currently staying in Buenos Aires on holiday over the Spanish winter break, so it’s possible the local radio station have a bit more of an inside scoop than usual.
Meanwhile, back in Spain, Jugones‘ sources inform them that Banega’s agent was already in London, and could have been ‘negotiating his future in Arsenal’.
El Desmarque add that Sevilla are already lining up a replacement in Javier Pastore, who is out of favour at AS Roma, having only made one start since September in all competitions.
Banega has an £18m release clause with Sevilla, and El Desmarque previously wrote that Arsenal are preparing to pay it.
Banega is in fantastic form this season. He has eight goals and five assists in 28 appearances from midfield, and he’s been excelling in almost every area as a midfielder: Set pieces, long-shots, dribbling, key passes, finishing, passing and tackling are all listed as strengths based on WhoScored‘s statistical analysis.
At 30 years old, Arsenal would need Banega to adapt to the Premier League quickly. Plus, fans are already raising questions about whether the club should be focusing on other areas of the pitch, such as the wings or the defence.
Nonetheless, if Banega brought his current form to England, £18m would be a steal.