Arsenal and Chelsea face competition from AC Milan for Barcelona outcast

Posted Sunday, December 02, 2018 by Express.co.uk

AC MILAN have entered the race to sign Barcelona outcast Denis Suarez, according to reports in Italy.

Both Chelsea and Arsenal were understood to be interested in the Spanish midfielder, who has been frozen out at the Nou Camp.

But Italian publication Calciomercato claim Milan are keen to bolster their ranks in the January window and they could offer him regular first-team football.

Chelsea already have Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Ross Barkley, and Mateo Kovacic as regulars in Maurizio Sarri’s three-man midfield.

Cess Fabregas has been forced to watch most of this season from the sidelines and could leave Stamford Bridge in January.

Arsenal also have strong competition in the middle of the park, with Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torrerira Unai Emery’s preferred pairing.

It is claimed that Suarez's preferred destination is the Gunners.

However, Blues boss Sarri is a long-term admirer having tried to sign him for former club Napoli.

Suarez, 24, has only played twice this season - one start in the Copa del Rey and a late substitute appearance in the Champions League.

Arsenal and Chelsea face competition from AC Milan for Barcelona outcast
Denis Suarez is reported to be unhappy at Barcelona

And he is said to be fed up at being a bit-part player under manager Ernesto Valverde.

Valverde is reported to have angered four more Barca players, with Arturo Vidal, Ousmane Dembele and Rafinha all looking for more first-team minutes.

French winger Dembele, 21, has also been linked with a hist of the Premier League’s top clubs.

Liverpool are understood to be monitoring his situation, along with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Arsenal and Chelsea face competition from AC Milan for Barcelona outcast
Suarez has played only twice for Barca this season

Arsenal and Chelsea face competition from AC Milan for Barcelona outcast
Ousmane Dembele is also reported to be unhappy at the Nou Camp

However, his agent, Moussa Sissoko, has denied his client is looking to move on.

"There is no doubt about his future at all,” he said.

"Ousmane continues to work, he is in a big club and Valverde loves him, and he is also in the national team and (Didier) Deschamps continues to trust him.”