Arsenal are in the market for a new left-back.
Links to Celtic's Kieran Tierney have been getting stronger by the day and it's possible a deal could be announced in the coming hours with the Scottish Premier League champions close to sealing a transfer for his replacement.
The potential arrival of the Scotland international has prompted speculation regarding Nacho Monreal's future at the Emirates Stadium and there appeared to have been some surprising developments.
Reports had gone so far as to claim that the Gunners and Monreal agreed to a contract termination, thus making the Spaniard a free agent.
However, football.london understands this is not the case.
In fact, talk of Monreal being released has been described as 'rubbish' and he is due to report back to London Colney for pre-season training on July 5.
This is not the first time this year in which the Spanish left-back's future has been called into question.
There has been some confusion as to when his contract expires but football.london revealed that the Gunners activated a one-year extension clause in his contract late last year, tying Monreal to the club until next summer.
Though this does not necessarily preclude his departure before the transfer window closes as he has long been linked with a return to Spain, most notably with La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.
Monreal did struggle against pacey wingers when played at full-back and Tierney would be an uprade.
However, the veteran defender has impressed on the left-side of a three-man defence and would be a versatile option in Unai Emery's squad next season.
As things stand, the signing from Malaga in January 2013 for an £8.5million fee, Monreal's tenure with the north London outfit is set to extend into a seventh full season.
