Arsenal manager Unai Emery is lining up Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega for a “key role” with the Gunners, according to the Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel.
The Argentinian international reportedly rejected a move to the Emirates in the summer, but it seems the London club are not perturbed by the 30-year-old’s reluctance to leave Spain.
Emery is seeking a replacement for Aaron Ramsey, and it appears that he sees Banega as the ideal player to replace the outgoing Welsh international.
The Gunners boss has managed the Argentine twice before, both at Valencia and Sevilla, and rates the midfielder very highly.
Whether he will get his man, it remains to be seen. Banega’s father Daniel recently confirmed that the midfielder had been in contact with Arsenal but is not keen on moving away from Spain where he could struggle to adapt. He revealed:
“Last summer, during the World Cup, Arsenal got in touch, and he did not want to go. He is very happy there, he is calm, together with his family. It is difficult to adapt to other leagues. Ever is comfortable in Seville and choose to stay, Sevilla is his home.”
The playmaker had an ill-fated spell at Inter Milan during the 2016/17 season which has likely put him off from moving again. However, the player reportedly has a €20m (£17.6m) release clause, and the player could be persuaded by his former boss to make the switch to England.
