Ignasi Miquel is being linked with a move back to Spain with reported interest from Espanyol.
Esport360.com claim the Barcelona side will look to bring him back home after his contract with the Gunners ran out this summer.
However, there is some uncertainty there, as the former Cornella player was not on the list of departures the the club released last month. Whether they’re trying to extend his deal, or if he’s got another year left, is unclear, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were to move on this summer either way.
Transfermarkt lists his contract expiry as 2014, but in many cases these are estimates and guesses and shouldn’t be taken as gospel.
A loan spell at Leicester City last season saw him make 12 appearances for the Foxes but he was unable to secure and hold down a first team place, making it very unlikely that he’s ready for first team football with Arsenal. The other issue, as noted by our youth correspondent Jeorge Bird, is that at 22 years of age, he would have to be named in the Gunners 25 man squad to be eligible for the Premier League this season.
It would also be something of a stretch to make him ready for La Liga, but Espanyol are in the market for a defender and Miquel, who can also play at left-back, has a versatility which makes him attractive to potential suitors.
With doubts over the future of Thomas Vermaelen, who has just 12 months left on his deal, a centre-half really should be on Arsene Wenger’s shopping list this summer, but even so it’s hard to envisage an Emirates future for the young Spaniard.
(For what it’s worth Ignasi reported for training this morning at London Colney and can be seen here sporting the new Puma training top)
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via @RYO_cleverfish
I really thought he was the real deal when he was 18 or so but he never delivered on the great promise he showed early on, if he does move on i wish him well
Players have returned for training!!!!
What about Arsene?!?! 😉
The BOSS still chilli with the Speedos in Brazil. Don’t fault the old Man!!
This stage of ‘pre-season’ would be pure physical fitness, so no difference if AWs there or not.
hmmmmmmm interesting. Even before this summer’s cull, I would say we were 2 defenders short. so, Sagna,Djourou,Miquel to go. Vermaelen looks iffy. It seems we will be short both in terms of quantity AND quality.
We won’t be short on quality. Quantity yes but quality? No!
No we won’t. But you can never have too much quality and we have never had enough quantity.
He will be playing for Barca in a few season’s time.
I agree, Barca like this type of defenders. Puyol, Pique, Song, Mascherano.
Judging from the current Barca defenders’ quality, I think he can play for them right now..;)
Depth could be a concern, but obviously Djourou and Miquel weren’t a part of this seasons’ plans to begin with. I think we’ll see some dominoes start to fall along the back line when Vermaelen’s future is either secured or sold.
I’m not so sure if we have seen the last of Djourou. All of the departing players (Sagna, NB52 etc) have been taken off the website overnight but he has appeared back on the squad list. I had read somewhere that he had joined Hamburg but maybe that deal isn’t signed and sealed. I dont mind either way if he stays or goes but he wud make a decent 4th choice cb if Vermaelen goes and we bring in another player. Thus we wud only need one cb and a rb.
Probably because even though the clause has been activated by Hamburg, the player himself isn’t around to officially sign his new contract, effectively still making him an Arsenal. Wouldn’t count on him being around. I really hope one of Ajayi or Miquel step up to the plate, not just because it would be good for the academy but also largely for the fact there is a good chance we may not get the adequate number of cover of CBs when you consider all the other positions we have to fill (still need an addition CB anyway even if Verms stays,… Read more »
Need a player to be capable of rotating through Meterscielny with a blend of both Per’s height and Koscielny’s speed. This has been an issue for Vermaelen and Miquel frankly won’t be the man to step up at this point. OTOH, felt he could be useful as a fourth Cback for insurance at least for one more season. Both Djourou and Vermaelen are likely to want to get on with their careers rather than spend more time on the bench. Not sure how the gaffer will address the Cback cover but it is going to be crucial for the coming… Read more »