Arsenal transfer news: Mexico star Miguel Layun gives ‘huge boost’ to Gunners

Mexican marvel

Mexico star Miguel Layun has given Arsenal what The Sun describes as “a huge transfer boost” after he admitted a return to Sevilla would be difficult.

Although his traditional position is full-back, the 30-year-old Layun has appeared for Mexico on the wing as they romped past Germany and South Korea to top World Cup group F.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

It’s that sort of versatility that has caught the eye of Gunners boss Unai Emery, who is apparently keen to lure Layun to the Emirates Stadium after the World Cup ends next month.

The Mexican spent last season on loan at Sevilla from Porto and it’s believed that the Spaniards don’t want to make his switch permanent.

Layun appeared to make a come-and-get-me plea to Arsenal during an interview with broadcaster Cadena SER: “I think if they had the intention [to sign me full-time] they would have already communicated with me and with my agent.

“In a tournament like the World Cup I’m totally focused on what I want to achieve here, but of course there is always that issue of not knowing what will be of my future.”

Never Ever for Banega

But one Sevilla player who won’t be heading to the Emirates is Ever Banega. Metro reports that Unai Emery has “been dealt a transfer blow” with Sevilla saying they won’t let the Argentine midfielder leave Spain.

Emery knows Banega from his time coaching Sevilla several seasons ago and Metro claims Emery had “contacted him personally to discuss a move”.

But Sevilla are “determined” not to lose the South American - despite a £17.6m buy-out clause - and they are confident the 29-year-old will stay loyal.

Papa talk is premature

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is not yet an Arsenal player, says Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc, in response to recent claims that the Greek defender was already a Gunner.

It was reported earlier in the summer that Papastathopoulos had agreed terms with the Gunners in what the Daily Mirror said was a £16m deal, but in conversation with Revier Sport, Zorc warned Arsenal not to count their chickens.

“He is likely to go there but things are not finalised yet,” he said. “I will not give you anything more for the rumour mill. There have apparently been 27 new Dortmund players since the end of May.”