Athletic Bilbao have suffered a blow in their attemps to sign a replacement for Ander Herrera as the agent of Mikel Arteta has rubished rumours that his client will quit The Emirates for a move to the Basque club.
Arteta’s long term future has been up in the air as of late as the 32 year old midfielder is about to enter the final year of his Arsenal contract however his agent Inaki Ibanez has said the rumours linking Arteta to Bilbao are false. When Ibanez was asked about Bilbao’s interet he replied with, ‘This is totally false. Mikel has no interest in leaving Arsenal.’
San Sebastian born Arteta spent one season playing for Bilboa’s rivals Real Sociedad before moving to Everton in 2004. Arteta has not held talks with Arsenal representatives over a new deal and Bilbao have targetted him as a cheap and effective way to replace Herrera. However if the words of Arteta’s agent are true then Bilbao will have to look elsewhere.
Herrera’s move has put Bilbao in a spot of bother as they had no desire to sell the 24 year old midfielder, they showed their intent to keep him by rejecting the offer from Manchester United even though they had activated his buy-out clause. Herrera then decided to buy out his contract himself making him free to sign for whoever he wanted to. Because of Herrera’s desire to move Bilbao are seeking a midfielder to fill the void, however that midfielder will not be Mikel Arteta according to his agent.
Written by Ben Waterhouse -@BenWaterhouse_
