Venezuela international defender Fernando Amorebieta has rejected fresh terms from Athletic Bilbao amid ongoing speculation linking him with a summer move to the English Premier League, Sky Sports understands.
Amorebieta, whose current contract set to expire at the end of the season, is ready to test free agency after seeing out the final months of his contract at the San Mames.
The likes of Anzhi Makhachkala and Arsenal are believed to be keeping tabs on the 27-year-old centre-back, with the Gunners supposedly the favourites to land his signature.
According to the player’s agent and brother, Kepa, the Venezuela international would prefer a move to England when the transfer window reopens in July.
“We have had some contact with other clubs, such as Anzhi, but Fernando wishes to play in the Premier League and that is our priority,” Amorebieta’s brother and agent, Kepa, said in Marca.
“There have been calls and sounds from Arsenal, but we still do not have a formal offer from them on the table.”
Since breaking into Los Leones’ first-team in 2005, Amorebieta has been sent off 12 times, 13 if you include his red card offence in an international friendly against Spain in February 2012.
In sum, Amorebieta is oftentimes clumsy and reckless in the challenge. Suitors beware.
The 27-year-old defender, who made 48 appearances in all competitions for Athletic Bilbao last term, has made just 17 competitive appearances for the La Liga side this season.
Zouma plans to stay at St Etienne
AS Saint-Etienne centre-back Kurt Zouma is planning to stay at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard for at least another year despite reported interest from Premier League duo Chelsea and Manchester United, according to Sky Sports.
Zouma, 18, has impressed scouts from a number of top European clubs since making his senior debut for ASSE last season.
The France Under-19 international signed a new deal with AS Saint-Etienne last month, meaning that the highly-rated defender is now under contract at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard until the summer of 2017.
Despite the financial advantages of a summer move abroad, Zouma feels it is too early to leave France for pastures new, insisting that he wants to stay at St Etienne for at least another season before deciding his long-term future.
“To be honest I want to stay here for one more year or even more,” said the 18-year-old centre-back.
“It is not an easy experience to go abroad early in your career. At the end of the season we will see what happens.”
Over the past two seasons, Zouma — who represented France at the Under-17 World Cup last term — has scored two goals in 37 senior appearances for St Etienne.
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