Denis Suarez has asked Barcelona to let him leave the club this month, to join up with Unai Emery at Arsenal, according to reports.

VALENCIA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 07: Denis Suarez of Barcelona arrives for the La Liga match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on October 7, 2018 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)
VALENCIA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 07: Denis Suarez of Barcelona arrives for the La Liga match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on October 7, 2018, in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)

John Cross of Mirror Sport claims Suarez is ‘keen to join Arsenal’ in the winter window, and he’s made it clear to his current club that he wants the move. The 25-year-old reportedly ‘told his bosses he wants to join up with Unai Emery’s side’, and he has his mind ‘set’ on the North London club.

From Arsenal’s point of view, they’re keen to do a deal for the player, who is reportedly their ‘number one target’. However, due to financial restrictions in the current window, the Gunners are trying to push a loan move with a view to a permanent £15m transfer over the summer.

As for Barcelona, they’re reluctant to let Suarez go this month, meaning there’s still a way to go until an agreement. The Mirror add that the midfielder is the only deal Arsenal are seriously considering right now though, so at least they can fully focus their attention on getting it done.

LEON, SPAIN - OCTOBER 31: Denis Suarez of FC Barcelona in action during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Cultural Leonesa and FC Barcelona at Estadio Reino de Leon on October 31, 2018 in Leon, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
LEON, SPAIN – OCTOBER 31: Denis Suarez of FC Barcelona in action during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Cultural Leonesa and FC Barcelona at Estadio Reino de Leon on October 31, 2018, in Leon, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

For now, the player is continuing to train normally with the team, at the orders of manager Ernesto Valverde.

Barcelona took Suarez with them for their trip to Getafe over the weekend, but they ended up withdrawing him from the squad for unspecified reasons.

It could just be that he was the 19th man, and wasn’t required on that occasion. However, rumours suggest Barcelona have to pay Manchester City €800,000 the next time Suarez makes an appearance for them, due to a clause in his contract.

As a result, Barcelona would presumably prefer to be sure Suarez is staying before paying more for him. If he’s going to leave in the next few weeks, then one game isn’t worth €800,000.