Atheltic Bilbao plan to replace Manchester United’s Ander Herrera with Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, claims reports

Mikel Arteta: Off to Bilbao?

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has emerged as a transfer target for Athletic Bilbao as the Spanish side look to replace Ander Herrera, who joined Manchester United earlier today for a fee in the region of £30 million.

Herrera reportedly paid a specific clause in order to push through the transfer to Man United and now Bilbao need to replace their star midfielder.

The Spanish club are hindered by the fact that they will only sign players of Basque heritage which may explain why they have turned to Arteta

Marca reports that Bilbao are readying a bid of around £3 million to try and tempt Arsenal to sell their midfielder.

The move would be a controversial move with Arteta originating from San Sebastien, where Bilbao’s arch rivals Real Sociedad dwell with Arteta even playing for Sociedad for a season.

It remains to be seen at the moment whether or not Arteta would be receptive to the move with the Spanish midfielder entering the final twelve months of his contract.