Athletic Bilbao have effectively given up on signing Arsenal full back Nacho Monreal this summer, according to AS.
The Spanish newspaper say the Basque club have stepped away from a move for the left back despite him being one of the La Liga side’s top three transfer targets.
Bilbao do not tend to do much transfer business as they only sign Basque players, and with the arrival of Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke, it seemed like the Pamplona born Monreal may have been tempted by a move back home.
The defender however spoke out at the start of the week stating a desire to stay at the Emirates, where he has two years left remaining on his current contract.
Bilbao then reacted to the news by offering one of their left backs Enrico Saborit a new contract. The 25 year old signed a one year contract extension yesterday indicating the Basque side will not be back in for Monreal.
