Arsenal star Nacho Monreal wanted by Athletic Bilbao with Sead Kolasinac set to be his replacement
Arsene Wenger rates the Spaniard highly and will struggle to tempt the left-back away from the Emirates
ATHLETIC BILBAO are after Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal, according to reports.
The new coach of the La Liga club, Jose Angel Ziganda, gave the Spaniard his first-team debut when he was at Osasuna.
And according to the , Monreal could be tempted away from the Emirates with a departure at left-back being likely.
The Gunners are expected to sign the Schalke left back Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer who plays on the left side of defence.
Monreal is also one of the older members of Arsene Wenger's squad at 31 and Bilbao are ready to try and lure him back to his homeland.
But Gunners boss Wenger is a huge fan of Monreal who has proved himself to be more than capable in his new system of three at the back.
most read in football
And it seems that if a defender is to leave the Emirates it will be Kieran Gibbs.
The England international's current deal expires at the end of next season.
Gibbs has found it hard to cement his place in Wenger's starting line-ups and has recently been tried in the wing-back position.
And number of Premier League clubs are interested in Gibbs, including newly-promoted Brighton and Newcastle.
The academy graduate made his debut in 2009 and has clocked up 147 appearances for the Gunners making him one of the most experienced players in the current squad.