Another player Arsenal may lose this summer?

Arsenal youngster Jon Toral will continue his development on loan at Granada after the La Liga side has confirmed an agreement to sign the Spaniard for the 2016-2017 campaign.

The former Barcelona academy player is set to experience the top flight in Spain after having spent the last two seasons on loan in the Championship with Brentford and Birmingham.

Toral moved to Arsenal in 2011 alongside his close friend Hector Bellerin. The resourceful midfielder was then considered one of the next big players to emerge from the Barcelona’s academy but saw development hampered after being forced to undergo four different operations during his years in north London.

The 21-year-old Spaniard is yet to make a senior competitive appearance for the north London club, but he has made productive steps with two successful spells on loan in the Championship.

The midfielder can play on either flank or especially as a number 10; he had a very productive 2014-15 campaign at Brentford before enjoying his best season to date at Birmingham.

The former Barcelona youngster netted 8 goals in 38 appearances to scoop a hat-trick of awards after being named Player of the season, and also scored the goal of the season with a sublime left-foot valley during a 3 – 0 victory over Ipswich Town in January.

Birmingham admitted during the season that they would have liked to keep him on a permanent deal, but it had looked like Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may finally give him a chance in his team’s midfield following the departures of Mikel Arteta and Thomas Rosicky.

However, Granada have now confirmed that Toral will instead move back to his homeland in a one-season loan deal to gain experience.

Reports earlier this week also confirmed the sale of Isaac Hayden from Arsenal to Newcastle United while a report in the International Business Times says that, Wojciech Szczesny could be the next player to finally depart from the Emirates, moving to Roma permanently, with the Italians said to be working hard on a deal to sign the shot stopper for good…

Published: 15th July 2016