Athletic Bilbao are set to reignite their pursuit of Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal this summer, according to Marca.
The Spanish newspaper claim that the La Liga outfit have already made several attempts to sign the defender, and that the Arsenal regular faces an uncertain future at the Emirates.
Monreal, 31, has been an ever-present member of the first-team squad since his arrival at the club in 2013, and made 43 appearances in all competitions during the 2016-17 season.
But he has struggled for consistency in his performances of late, and with reports suggesting Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign a new left-back in Sead Kolasinac, the Spaniard faces an uncertain role ahead of next season.
Marca report that his future could hinge on whether Arsene Wenger is manager at Arsenal beyond the current season, with the Frenchman’s deal set to expire this summer.
Wenger has revealed that his own future will become ‘very clear’ by Wednesday, at which point the club will likely be able to push ahead with sorting out the futures of their current first-team stars – including Monreal.
Athletic Bilbao are set to join Arsenal in the Europa League next season, and the offer of playing regularly in European competitions at the Spanish club next term could be an enticing prospect for the defender, with no such guarantees at his current club.
However, the La Liga outfit must first guarantee safe passage through the qualifying rounds of the competition this summer, with a move for Monreal likely to hinge on their presence in the group-stage.
Monreal has made 174 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, and was part of the side that lifted the FA Cup with Saturday’s win over Chelsea, his third FA Cup title with the club.