Arsenal defender hints at summer exit and reveals contract offers have already arrived

Julio Pleguezuelo has revealed that a return to Spain could be on the cards if Arsenal do not hand him a contract extension.

The defender, who finally made his senior debut for the Gunners during the 2-1 success against Blackpool in the Carabao Cup last month, will be be able to leave the Emirates for free at the end of the season when his current deal expires.

Pleguezuelo’s aim is to stay at the Emirates, however, but he has admitted he has already had offers arrive from clubs in Spain.

“I’m waiting to see how everything develops," Pleguezuelo told Marca.

"I have to talk to my representative. My goal is to stay at Arsenal. I would like to continue and, if it is not here in England - I have offers in Spain.

"But at the moment it’s not my idea to go back.”

Pleguezuelo arrived at Arsenal from Barcelona in 2013 but has struggled to make his mark in the senior side.

His debut against Blackpool came after five years in north London and as head coach Unai Emery was struggling to deal with a defensive injury crisis.

The 21-year-old has not featured since and with Laurent Koscielny and Konstantinos Mavropanos due back imminently after long-term spells on the sidelines, Pleguezuelo’s pathway to the first-team is about to get even tougher.