Quantcast
Home   >   Transfer News   >   “Goodbye” – Exciting defender confirms exit from Euro giants ahead of Arsenal move

“Goodbye” – Exciting defender confirms exit from Euro giants ahead of Arsenal move

By on July 10, 2018

According to reports via the Mirror, highly rated Spanish defender Joel Lopez has posted a goodbye message to Barcelona as he prepares to wrap-up his move to Arsenal.

Unai Emery has wasted no time in revamping the squad he inherited from Arsene Wenger with Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Lucas Torriera all snapped-up to bolster the first team squad.

However, the boss is also planning for the future with some additions to the academy and Lopez emerged as a target for Sven Mislintat and his scouts last month after impressing at Barca’s La Masia academy.

As reported in the Mirror, widespread reports in June claimed that Arsenal officials had met with the 15-year-old and his family to persuade him to leave his boyhood club and head for north London.

Barca did their best to keep him but Lopez’s head was turned and the talented defender decided to leave the Nou Camp as he felt he had more chance of breaking in to the first team at Arsenal.

Lopez has now taken to Instagram to confirm his exit from Barcelona after posting a ‘goodbye’ message to his followers with the Mirror claiming he’s now set to complete his move to the Emirates.

He wrote on Instagram:

“The day has come to say goodbye to what has been my home these last 7 years. Thanks to Barcelona, ​​it will be the club that I always carry in my heart for wonderful moments that I have lived with my friends, coaches, delegates, executives.

“Magnificent people who have made me feel welcome from the first day. It was a difficult decision but after contemplating it with my family I made the decision to go and start a new stage as a footballer with great enthusiasm.

“Thanks to all who have been there always Visca Barca!”

The Mirror claim that Lopez will initially join Arsenal on schoolboy terms before penning a professional contract when he turns 16 in March 2019.

MORE: Arsenal complete signing of South American star

The left-back is now set to join the Arsenal academy to work under Per Mertesacker and he follows the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin, Fran Merida and Jon Toral in leaving Barca’s La Masia academy for Arsenal in recent years.