Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illaramendi has made it known that he wants to join Arsenal.
The Gunners have been linked with a £24m move for the Spaniard, who has not featured regularly for Madrid this season.
The arrival at the Bernabeu of Lucas Silva from Cruzeiro may well limit his first-team opportunities further.
Arsenal are not the only club targeting Illaramendi, with Athletic Bilbao already making a bid of £18.5m.
Reports in Spain indicate that Arsenal are going to wait until the summer before making a move.
Illaramendi may have to make a choice: either be prepared to sit on the bench for the rest of the season and hope the Gunners are still interested.
Another choice may be to sign for Bilbao and get mroe game-time, and risk missing out on the move to the Emirates.
Real want the decision to be made as soon as possible, before the transfer window ends.
Steve Osborne @Pack3rNa7ion
