ARSENAL defender Nacho Monreal has admitted he is open to the idea of one day signing for Athletic Bilbao.
Monreal has been linked with a move to Bilbao in recent weeks and would be a perfect fit for the club having grown up in the Basque country.
The left-back was born in Pamplona and previously lined up for his hometown club Osasuna, making 127 league appearances.
And the 30-year-old has admitted he has considered returning to northern Spain and could see himself signing for Bilbao to link up with his old friend Raul Garcia.
“I have great affection for Athletic but I think only about the present, not what could happen in the future," Monreal told Radio Euskadi.
"Although I am keeping all my options open.
"I have some good friends already at the club such as Raul Garcia”.
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It's unlikely Monreal will leave Arsenal this season due to his position as the Gunners first-choice left-back.
The Spain international has started 10 Premier League games this term, missing only the 4-1 win over Sunderland last month due to a thigh strain.
He has racked up over 140 appearances for the north London club since joining from Malaga in 2013 for around £8million.
Monreal is also Spain's current first-choice left-back due to Barcelona star Jordi Alba being ruled out with injury.
Spain face Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier this evening (7.45pm) at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes in Granada.