Arsenal to make club record bid for Iker Muniain?

Arsenal have reportedly made an official enquiry to Athletic Bilbao for 20-year-old starlet Iker Muniain. Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger has submitted his interest to the Basque side who are believed to have told Arsenal that Muniain is not for sale. However, Arsenal could make a club record bid of £25 million for the the winger.

With long term injuries to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski, Arsenal find themselves desperate to sign an attacking player before the transfer window slams shut.


Muniain, who can play on either flanks or up front, is very highly rated in Spain and has even been labelled "the Spanish Messi" by the press. Since forcing his way into Bilbao's first team back in 2009, Muniain has gone on to play regularly in the first team playing well over 100 times in La Liga since making his debut back in 2009/2010.


Arsenal have struggled so far in the transfer market this summer, signing only Mathieu Flamini and Yaya Sanogo on free transfers. Failed efforts to sign Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez has seen manager Wenger pursue alternative targets and Muniain appears to be one name that has been off the radar so far this transfer window.


The starlet has been linked with a move to England in the past, with Manchester United amongst the teams interested, but so far has decided to stay put at Bilbao. 


The youngster is reportedly happy to spend his entire career with Bilbao, but his club could let the player leave if a suitable offer is received.