Arsenal manager keen to secure Monreal on improved deal amid La Liga interest

BeSoccer 6 years ago 629
Unai Emery is keen to secure Nacho Monreal on an improved contract. AFP

Arsenal manager Unai Emery is eager to secure Nacho Monreal's future at the North London club with a new contract.

The 32-year-old Spanish defender has attracted interest from Barcelona, who are reportedly looking for a replacement for Lucas Digne.

However, Emery has no intention of letting his first-choice left-back go to Catalonia.

"First, I knew Nacho Monreal in Spain when he was playing in Osasuna and in Malaga. After six years here, I came and I know him as a new Nacho Monreal," he said on Thursday.

"After two weeks, after two months and now, I can say that I am very happy with him because he is 32 years old but I think physically, with his performances with us in matches, he is playing with a very good level.

"The rest of that, for me, is very important. I think we need to find a new contract with him to stay with the Arsenal team."

Monreal moved to Arsenal from Malaga in the summer of 2013 for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £8.5m.

His current contract is worth around £65,000 a week, and expires at the end of this season.

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