Mikel Arteta will stay at Arsenal despite Athletic Bilbao interest: Agent

Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta’s agent has maintained that the Spaniard will not be leaving Arsenal in the foreseeable future, amid interest from Athletic Bilbao – as reported by the Express.

Bilbao are thought to see the Gunners midfielder as a suitable replacement for the departed Ander Herrera, who joined Manchester United last week on a four-year contract.

While reports from continental Europe suggest that Arsenal are willing to sanction a deal for the former Everton man, as Arsene Wenger looks to recruit a defensive midfielder to counterbalance the surfeit of central playmakers at The Emirates.

Moreover, the Spanish international’s contract with Arsenal expires next summer and renewed terms have not been forthcoming, fuelling speculation that Arteta has run his course in North London.

Nevertheless, despite all the media speculation, Arteta’s agent, Inaki Ibanez, insisted that the Barcelona youth product harboured no desire to call time on his Arsenal career and rubbished the Bilbao links, saying they were “totally false.”

He told El Mundo Deportivo: “This is totally false. Mikel has no interest in leaving Arsenal.”

Mikel Arteta had the highest pass accuracy (92%) of any senior Arsenal midfielder last season.