jon toral
Jon Toral made 38 appearances in all competitions for Birmingham City scoring eight goals Getty.

KEY POINTS

  • The Former Barcelona star will have his first experience in the top flight.
  • The 21-year-old was named the Birmingham Player of the Season last campaign.

Arsenal starlet Jon Toral will continue his development on loan at Granada after the La Liga side have confirmed an agreement to get the services of the 21-year-old midfielder for the 2016-2017 campaign. The former Barcelona academy product is set for his first experience at the top flight after having spent the last two campaigns on loan in the Championship with Brentford and Birmingham.

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Toral moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2011 alongside his close pal Hector Bellerin. The versatile midfielder was then considered one of the next big things to emerge from the Barcelona academy but saw his development hampered after being forced to undergo four different operations – two in each knee – during his years in north London.

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The talented midfielder is yet to make a senior competitive appearance for Arsenal but has made productive steps with two successful spells on loan in the Championship.

The young midfielder, who can play on either flank or especially as a number 10, had a productive 2014-2015 campaign at Brentford before enjoying his best season to date at Birmingham. The former Barcelona starlet scored eight goals in 38 appearances to scoop a hat-trick of awards after being named Players' Player of the Season, Supporters' Player of the Season and also scoring the goal of the season with a sublime left-foot volley during a 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town in January.

Birmingham admitted during the season that they would have liked to keep him on a permanent basis but it looked like Arsene Wenger may finally give him a chance in the Arsenal midfield following the departures of Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta.

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However Granada have now confirmed that Toral will instead move back to his homeland in a one-season loan deal to have a first experience in the top flight.

Earlier this week Arsenal also confirmed the sale of Isaac Hayden to Newcastle United while reports in Italy suggests that Wojciech Szczesny could be the next player to leave the club for Roma.

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