Arsenal are in advanced talks to bring Denis Suarez and Yannick Carrasco to the club this month, according to Nicolo Schira of La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Schira claimed on Tuesday that Arsenal were in advanced talks for both players, but added they could only complete the two deals if Mesut Özil leaves the club. That’s a fairly major qualification, given the general consensus seems to be that the German wants to stick around and fight for his place in the team.

However, according to Schira in La Gazzetta dello Sport, Özil ‘could be sold’ if Arsenal receive a ‘good offer’. He adds that Suarez has asked Barcelona to be sold, but there is still no agreement about the method of his transfer. The Gunners still want a loan with an option-to-buy, whilst Barcelona want a permanent deal.

https://twitter.com/NicoSchira/status/1085150360543596546

Recent reports suggest Carrasco wants a move to the Premier League and Arsenal, but his wages are causing a bit of a problem. That’s not to mention the transfer fee the Gunners would have to pay to Dalian Yifang, despite widespread reports that the club don’t have money for permanent deals in the current window.

It does seem like that deal relies on a high-profile sale, but we’d need more convincing to believe Özil genuinely might leave.

As for Suarez, although it appears a potential transfer isn’t too far away, it doesn’t seem like there’s any progress happening at the moment. We’ve been hearing the same reports of the player’s desire to join and Barcelona’s reluctance to accept a loan deal for over a week now.

Halfway through the month, it doesn’t seem like Arsenal or Barca are willing to budge. We’ll see if that changes.