• Premier League

Barcelona youngster rejects Arsenal for Roma

ESPN staff
January 9, 2014
Antonio Sanabria joined Barcelona in 2009 © Getty Images
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Arsenal are set to miss out on Barcelona youngster Antonio Sanabria after he revealed he will be joining Roma.

The 17-year-old joined the Barca youth set-up in 2009, but has refused to sign a new deal with the reigning La Liga champions.

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And while Arsenal believed they would be able to land Sanabria by meeting his £2.5 million release clause in January, instead Sanabria has decided he will be moving to Serie A.

"Roma already put the necessary money to the Spanish Federation for the clause asked by Barcelona," Sanabria is quoted as saying to Radio Monumental 1080 AM.

But with the deal to Roma almost certain to happen, Sanabria added that he will not begin his career immediately with them, saying: "I'll go on loan to another Serie A team."

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