London rivals Arsenal and West Ham United are set to join in battle off the pitch just a fortnight after the Hammers won their contest on it. The prize this time, according to talkSPORT, is Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals.
The 22-year-old is in demand despite the very real prospect of Villarreal falling into the Segunda Division.
It’s understood the Spain international’s contract contains a €32m release clause which is well within the two Premier League duo’s summer budgets.
Villarreal with their precarious league position, are unlikely to consider a loan deal this winter no matter how persuasive an option or obligation to buy may look in six months’ time.
The Yellow Submarine’s boss Luis Garcia said earlier this month that he was unperturbed by the gossip.
“Everything is normal with Fornals,” he said. “He trains perfectly as if nothing’s going on. Until I am told otherwise, I have no idea what will happen. The club have already said that there’s nothing at the moment.
“We’re working with complete normality and I see Pablo focused and involved.”
While Garcia is resigned to losing his twice-capped international, Fornals is showing little sign of wanting to force a move out of Estadio de la Cerámica any time soon.
