Dani Ceballos is set to finalise his loan move to Arsenal this week.
Mirror Sport reported Arsenal were close to reaching an agreement with Real Madrid to take Ceballos on loan next season.
Unai Emery is an admirer of Ceballos and wanted to take him to the Emirates as a replacement for Aaron Ramsey.
The deal is now close to being finalised with AS reporting Ceballos is likely to travel to London this week to undergo a medical and complete the move.
Tottenham had also been keen on Ceballos but they have been edged out by their north London rivals.
And it is claimed Emery had a major sway in Ceballos' decision to leave Real Madrid for the Emirates.
AS states Emery has spoken directly with the player and his family over the past few days as they sought assurances over playing time.
And the Gunners boss told the Spain international that he will look to give him the 40 matches he is after next season.
Ceballos looked set to stay with Real Madrid but he was unlikely to be a regular fixture under Zinedine Zidane.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are looking at alternatives to Kieran Tierney after negotiations with Celtic hit a stalemate.
Arsenal want to structure a £25m deal over several payments and include incentives for a player who has struggled with injury while Celtic want the cash up front.
Arsenal are also close to signing William Saliba, with the young defender staying with Saint-Etienne next season, but a deal for Wilfried Zaha is increasingly unlikely.
