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Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal stay despite Athletic Bilbao interest
MIKEL ARTETA'S agent insists the Spaniard will be staying at Arsenal this summer after Athletic Bilbao made him their first-choice target to replace new Manchester United playmaker Ander Herrera.
Reports from the continent suggest that the former Everton star is set to leave north London as Arsene Wenger looks to reshape his squad and add some steel in midfield, and Bilbao are keen to secure his signature after United splashed the cash on 24-year-old Herrera.
32-year-old Arteta has one year left on his current deal, but there has been no sign from the Emirates hierarchy that a new contract will be offered any time soon.
Mikel Arteta mixed zone interview
This is totally false. Mikel has no interest in leaving Arsenal
And with the Gunners chasing Lyon's Maxime Gonalons and Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria, as well as having stars including Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back to full fitness in time for the start of the new campaign, there may not be room to accommodate Arteta in the side.
However, his agent Inaki Ibanez is adamant that the ex-Real Sociedad man has no interest in quitting the Emirates, and any rumours linking him to Bilbao are entirely untrue.
He told El Mundo Deportivo: "This is totally false. Mikel has no interest in leaving Arsenal."
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