Arsenal youth defender Ignasi Miquel has been attracting interest from La Liga heavyweights Barcelona but is likely to join Championship side Brighton on a loan deal.
The Spain U 19 international has spent the early part of his youth career at the Camp Nou and now the cash strapped Catalan side are looking to launch a £300k bid for the talented defender. Miquel appeared four times for the Gunners last season, making his Premier League debut against Liverpool when he was brought on for the injured Laurent Koscielny.
Arsene Wenger isn’t keen on letting go of the youngstar and is determind to ward off any interest. Former Chelsea footballer and now manager of Brighton Gus Poyet, is interested in bringing the versatile defender on loan to the Championship side. Wenger wants Miquel to gain further first team experience as he is unlikely to get the nod ahead of the likes of Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker at the Emirates.
Miquel, who can also play left back, is likely to secure his loan deal to Brighton in the next week according to sources.