Arsenal line up €25m Nacho Monreal replacement

Arsenal could be ready to replace Nacho Monreal with a Real Betis left-back, according to reports in Spain.

According to Plaza Deportivo, Arsenal are interested in triggering the €25million release clause in Junior Firpo’s Real Betis contract.

Firpo, 21, is predominantly a left-sided defender, but he can play further forward and he made 14 LaLiga appearances last season, scoring twice and claiming two assists.

AS report that Arsenal scouts have been impressed with Firpo’s displays and the Gunners have registered their interest in the Dominican-born player.

Betis are aware of the interest in Firpo, who is also able to play at centre-back, and they want him to sign a new contract.

Gunners boss Unai Emery has already added Stephan Lichtsteiner and £19m Bernd Leno to his squad, while £16m Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos is expected to be unveiled on July 1.

Emery has also made offers for £26m-rated Lucas Torreira and £35m-rated Caglar Soyuncu, while Ever Banega is also reported to be a firm favourite of the new Arsenal boss.

It’s understood Emery will not have too much more money to spend and will have to generate funds through player sales and Monreal could be on his way out.

Noticias De Gipuzkoa report that Real Sociedad are interested in the full-back, who has just one year remaining on his contract.

Real apparently have Monreal at the top of their target list with sporting director Roberto Olabwe keen on hammering out a three-year deal.

Arsenal could well be willing to let Monreal leave and get a fee for the 32-year-old, with his contract running down. And it seems they have lined up a replacement in Firpo.