Nacho Monreal intends to stay at Arsenal this season, amid speculation of a move to Atheltic Bilbao this summer.
The 29-year-old, who only has a year left to run on his current contract at Arsenal, has been heavily linked with a move to the Basque club recently, with a reported £7 million bid being prepared.
Monreal made 28 Premier League starts for the Gunners last term, ousting Kieran Gibbs from the starting line-up for the majority of the previous campaign.
And the Spain international, who arrived to the Emirates from Malaga in 2013, has poured cold water on rumours suggesting he is ready to quit Arsenal for Bilbao, insisting he wants to replicate his form this upcoming season:
‘I’m very happy at Arsenal.
‘Of course I enjoyed playing in a lot of the games last season and that is the target again – that’s all I can say right now.’
Monreal was arguably one our better performers last season and it’s great to hear that the Spaniard wants to remain at Arsenal, albeit rumours of a switch to Bilbao.
A contract extension has not yet been mentioned, but I’m sure Wenger will get round to this in the next few weeks, especially after the season Monreal had.
Should Monreal stay, then the need for a new left-back this summer will not be needed.
