Espanyol sporting director Jose Maria Duran has confirmed that Arsenal have been in contact over the potential signing of Raul de Tomas, a proposal which has been rejected.
Speaking to Esport 3 via Fabrizio Romano, the La Liga official announced that the Gunners reached out to open discussions over the 27-year-old striker. However, Espanyol made it clear that De Tomas is not for sale despite Arsenal’s interest.
The Gunners are desperate to sign a striker this window with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to leave for FC Barcelona in the coming hours. And De Tomas has emerged as a late candidate to replace the 32-year-old forward this deadline day.
The Spanish international has been in great form in La Liga this campaign, with the striker the third-highest scorer in the division so far. And with Arsenal missing out on other targets, it makes sense with the Gunners would target De Tomas.
Indeed, a striker could be the difference between Arsenal finishing in the top four or not. Yet according to Duran, De Tomas will not be leaving Espanyol for anyone during this transfer window.
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The Espanyol sporting director said: “Arsenal called for Raul de Tomas, but we didn’t even want to talk. We won’t let him go now, no way. His release clause is €75m. (£60m)”
Arsenal have been chasing a striker all January, yet this blow to De Tomas feels like the Gunners’ last chance to sign a forward has come to a disappointing end for the north London side.
Indeed, Arsenal’s strikers this season have been poor, and De Tomas could have been an ideal improvement in the position given his goalscoring form this campaign as well as his release clause being a suitable one for Mikel Arteta’s side.
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