Espanyol general manager José María Durán has confirmed that Arsenal called about striker Raúl de Tomás this month, but they will not be selling him regardless.
Reports throughout this month have made it clear the Gunners are keen on the Spanish striker, with him reportedly an alternative to Dusan Vlahovic.
Their interest in him has been reactivated over the last week or so in light of Vlahovic’s move to Juventus, which put a definitive end to any hopes of Arsenal signing the Serbian.
Things have since picked up pace on deadline day, particularly with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang closing in on a loan move to Barcelona.
That would free up funds for Arsenal to get their man, and several reports today have indicated they will make their move.
Whether that is the case remains to be seen, although a source insisted to Sport Witness today that there is ‘no interest’ from the Emirates.
Durán has now commented on the potential transfer, admitting Arsenal have called, but there won’t be any last-minute departure.
“It was a one-off call that we almost didn’t even want to listen to,” AS report him saying.
“Our position here is clear. We are building a heritage, and we will not let players leave in any way, and less so Raúl de Tomás and at this time, in the middle of the season.
“Raúl no longer has a clause of 70 million, but due to inflation, it is almost 75. The prices go up, but so do our defences.”
