Denis Suarez's move to Arsenal is seemingly all but confirmed after the Barcelona midfielder reportedly completed his medical on Monday. However, fans of the Gunners were made to halt their celebrations after the Catalan club deleted the announcement of the Spanish midfielder's departure minutes after it was posted.
The statement salvaged before it was pulled down reads as follow: "FC Barcelona have also agreed on a loan deal for Suarez with Arsenal for the remainder of the 2018/19 season.
"The Premier League club will pay the player's salary during this time and the agreement includes an option to buy."
Official! Denis Suarez to Arsenal pic.twitter.com/rMMxTHWO9N
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2019
Some have attributed the unusual development to the fact that Barcelona is in action against Sevilla in the quarterfinal of the Copa del Rey and the news of Suarez's departure is not exactly ideal considering the Catalan club hopes to overturn the first leg defeat. Still, a new announcement is expected to follow suit later.
Unlike initially reported, Arsenal will now get to activate an "option to buy" clause should Suarez impress in his six-month stint. Barcelona was said to be holding out for an "obligation to buy" but yielded to Gunners' demand after the 25-year-old midfielder agreed to sign a one-year contract which will preserve his value should Unai Emery's side refuse to do purchase him.
Arsenal, who will now pay Barcelona 2 million pounds for the service of Suarez on loan, will be made to pay 18 million pounds should they decide to buy him at the end of the season.
The Spanish midfielder joins the London club after making just eight appearances under Ernest Valverde at Barcelona this season.
