Spanish club Athletic Bilbao are prepared to retain their interest in Arsenal’s Nacho Monreal following failed attempts to sign him over the past three seasons. The Spain international has become the first choice left-back at the Emirates ahead of Englishman Kieran Gibbs.
The 31-year-old only inked a long-term Gunners deal in January 2016, but this has not ended Athletic’s pursuit of the full-back given their policy of recruiting players only from the Basque country.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Athletic will seek to revive their interest during the coming transfer window as they look to convince Monreal just like they did with Raul Garcia when signing him from Atletico Madrid back in 2015.
Despite his odd struggles, this season, Monreal has remained Arsene Wenger’s favourite on the left side of the backline with 30 appearances across all competitions.
He was named in the PFA Team of the Year in the previous campaign, and though, he has dropped from his best form, he remains influential in the club’s quest for a top-four finish this term.
AS suggests that the Gunners are prepared to sit and talk over a proposed transfer for Monreal, but a move looks highly unlikely unless the club have thoughts of bringing in a youthful replacement to their ranks.
The likes of Sead Kolasinac and Jose Gaya have been linked with potential moves to north London, but neither are understood to be a top priority with the attack front being the focus of attention for the summer.
Both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are approaching the final year of their respective deals, but manager Arsene Wenger remains hopeful that the pair will extend terms which could, in turn, coincide with the future of the long-standing Frenchman.
