Navas can play on either wing and comes recommended by his Spain teammate Santi Cazorla, who has been an instant hit at the Emirates.

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nino insisted Navas was not for sale last week, claiming the club had yet to receive any offers.

He refused to discuss the situation this morning, fuelling speculation the two sides are already talking. Navas, who has 26 caps for Spain, has spent his whole career at Sevilla.

He has made 350 appearances for the club since making his debut as an 18-year-old and is under contract until 2015. His arrival would throw Theo Walcott’s future into doubt, with Liverpool still interested in the England winger.

Walcott was substituted after 77 minutes against Sunderland and is refusing to sign a new contract.

Arsenal are also still hoping to complete a season-long loan deal for Real Madrid winger Nuri Sahin.

The move was in danger of collapse over a clause in the contract allowing Arsenal to make the loan permanent for a set fee next summer.

But sources in Spain suggest an agreement has been reached and that the 23-year-old could be on his way to London for a medical within days.

Arsenal also tried to sign Olympiakos winger Kevin Mirallas, but missed out when the Belgium international joined Everton instead.

- mD