Nacho Monreal has revealed he is in contract talks with Arsenal amid reports Barcelona are chasing his signature.
The 32-year-old’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season and it has recently emerged Barcelona are considering a shock January move.
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde wants to sign a new left-back after failing to replace Lucas Digne in the summer.
Digne joined Everton to leave Jordi Alba as the only recognised senior left-back at the Spanish champions.
Monreal and Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno are reported targets for Barcelona but the Arsenal defender has revealed contract talks with the Gunners are already underway.
“We are in contact in any moment so don’t worry about that. I am happy here. That is the most important thing,” he told the London Evening Standard.
“That is my idea, that is what I want [to play until he is 40]. We will see what happens but at the moment I am 32 and I will turn 33 but I feel good.
“My idea is to play in football until my body says ‘Nacho, so sorry but that’s the end’. But I think it is far [away]. I hope so.
“You never knw because your body, sometimes you start with some problems, some injuries and you can’t continue giving 100 per cent.
“But at the moment I feel good so I am not thinking of my retirement.”
Since the start of last season, Monreal has scored six league goals in 31 appearances for Arsenal. Incredibly, the Spaniard failed to score once in his first four league campaigns for the club (124 appearances).
