That is according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague. The Gunners are one of several clubs interested in taking Suarez on loan but Barcelona’s stance remains firm. Ernesto Valverde is open to letting him leave the Nou Camp, but only on a permanent basis as a loan move only decreases his value. According to Balague, the only way Barca will agree to let the player leave on loan would be if the club are willing to add an obligation to buy clause.

“Denis Suarez wants Arsenal or to stay at Barcelona,” he told the GB transfer podcast. “There’s a problem with that, Barcelona want to get money for him and Arsenal are only willing to get him on loan because they’ve got other priorities, he’s not the only name on the list for them. “They want a midfielder and they want centre-backs, Denis Suarez is not a total priority.” Unai Emery is expected to have to operate with limited funds this window and it’s clear that a defender is higher on their list of priorities.

Denis Suarez is a top target, but not top priority

Balague also believes that the arrival of Suarez would provide more service for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. “People got upset when I said ‘Aubameyang is not a match winner’, he is when he’s got the service, with the service of Denis Suarez he will have an even bigger impact,” he added. “He’s [Aubameyang] not a match-winner in the service of Hazard or Salah, that’s what I was trying to say. “If the team improves, he will improve, Denis Suarez having played in England knows what it entitles to play for a British club and he’s desperate to leave.”

Balague belies Arsenal will get their man if they add an obligation to buy clause

Arsenal face plenty of competition for his signature, five other clubs have tabled an offer for the former Manchester City man according to Balague. “He’s got offers from Napoli, Valencia, Sevilla, West Ham and Watford, but they all want him on loan,” he continued. “Barcelona want a decision this week, we’ll see if that happens but at the moment, a loan deal is something Barcelona will not accept right now unless there is an obligation to buy right now so that’s where the negotiations are.” Earlier this week Emery opened up on the club’s transfer plans this month.

Barcelona only want Denis Suarez to leave if it's permanently

He said: “I think the club is working for the possibility to bring in some players who can help us during this next four months of competition. “It’s a different situation. If the transfer market can help us find a centre back, the possibility to bring them in is not easy because we also have Mavropanos coming back from injury. “If we have the possibility to sign some important players, we can do it. “At left or right wing, perhaps one player can help us in this position. We will only sign players who give us quality.”

Emery coached Denis Suarez during his time with Valencia