Although Arsenal are set to replace Arsene Wenger with Unai Emery, they are still keeping their links with Barcelona open.
The Gunners have made a habit of signing young players from Barça’s La Masía youth academy, with Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin the most successful cases, both going on to play vital roles in the first team under Wenger.
The former boss may have walked away after 22 years, but Arsenal are returning to Catalonia hoping to sign their under-16s left back Joel Lopez.
☎️ Joel López, lateral esquerra del Cadet A del Barça, cerca de cerrar acuerdo con el Arsenal. Los gunners tendrán que pagar derechos de formación #FCBMasia #mercato pic.twitter.com/gDbkLriCxj
— Gerard Romero (@gerardromero) May 22, 2018
Any deal will include training fees for Lopez. It is tough to see him getting opportunities in the first team as soon as Fabregas or Bellerin, though, with Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac currently fighting over the starting berth in his position.
In terms of bigger name signings, they will most likely be announced after Emery is confirmed as the boss, which should happen at some stage this week.
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