Arsenal told to pay £35m release clause for top transfer target

Sevilla director of football Joaquin Caparros insists Arsenal will need to trigger Steven N’Zonzi’s £35m release clause to sign him this summer.

Unai Emery wants to reshape Arsenal’s midfield this summer and has identified N’Zonzi as a top transfer target.

The Gunners are unlikely to pursue Nice midfielder Jean Seri but Caparros insists there is no wiggle room in negotiations for the 29-year-old.

“Is that a rumour or is it true,” he asked Radio Sevilla, via The Independent.

“Has Unai Emery called you? Well, as a successful man, Unai Emery knows what line the club keeps.

“If he wants N’Zonzi, he will have to call and put the bid in. And the bid is the clause. If you put that bid in, then there are no more negotiations [over the fee].”

Emery was Sevilla manager when the Spanish side signed the France international from Stoke in 2015 and wants a reunion.

N’Zonzi has previously been linked with a return to the Premier League and even emerged as a transfer target for Manchester City at the start of 2017.

In the last two La Liga campaigns, only Asier Illarramendi (4,178) has completed more passes than N’Zonzi (4,141).