Arsenal have been made aware that they will need to trigger the £35 million ($47m) release clause in Steven N’Zonzi’s contract in order to sign the midfielder.
The former Blackburn and Stoke star has long been linked with a return to England, with Emirates Stadium having been mooted as a possible landing spot for some time.
Speculation regarding a second stint in the Premier League has resurfaced in the wake of ex-Sevilla boss Unai Emery taking charge of the Gunners.
He is said to be plotting a raid on his former employers for a France international, but he has also been informed that there will be no relaxing of a stance which demands any suitors must meet a €40m exit clause if they intend to get a deal done.
Sevilla’s director of football Joaquin Caparros told Radio Seville of the N’Zonzi to Arsenal talk: “Is that a rumour or is it true?
“Has Unai Emery called you? Well, as a successful man, Unai Emery knows what line the club keeps.
“If he wants N’Zonzi, he will have to call and put the bid in. And the bid is the clause. If you put that bid in, then there are no more negotiations [over the fee].”
Sevilla have been in this position before when it comes to N’Zonzi and have no intention of sanctioning a sale at this time.
They could even get the 29-year-old to commit to fresh terms, with new manager Pablo Machin currently weighing up the options available to him.
Caparros added: “We could even extend the contract, if the coach gives the green light. Everything is possible.”
N’Zonzi last extended his deal in January 2017, with that agreement set to take him through to the summer of 2020.
For now, though, the midfielder’s attention is focused on a World Cup 2018 campaign with France, with Didier Deschamps having selected him in Les Bleus’ ranks ahead of the likes of Paris Saint-Germain star Adrien Rabiot.