Arsenal have been linked with a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino as the Gunners look to bring the Euro 2024 winner to the Emirates Stadium this summer window.
The Gunners are looking to add to the midfield as they lack depth in the position at the moment, and after failing to land premier target Martin Zubimendi, the North Londoners will now move on to his club and country teammate Mikel Merino.
Arsenal in pole position for Euro 2024 Champion Merino
The Gunners have been battling the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to land his signatures this summer. However, the player is said to have already rejected a proposal to join the Spanish capital after not being convinced about the project at Metropolitano Stadium. This moves Arsenal into the favorites position to land the 28-year-old midfielder.
Mikel Arteta has been looking to add quality and depth to the midfield, and he has reportedly identified Mikel Merino as a key target who can be a perfect fit for the number eight role at the Emirates Stadium. Thomas Partey, who was linked with a move away from N5 going into the off-season, appears set to be staying at London Colony for another season as he reads to jet off to the US for the pre-season. Given this, Arsenal’s interest in securing a number eight makes more sense.
Most duels won in Europe’s top 5 leagues last season:
🥇 Mikel Merino (326)
🥈 Bruno Guimarães (286)
🥉 Bernardo (285)Arsenal bound? 🔴👀 pic.twitter.com/YViJmm1MdL
— LiveScore (@livescore) July 23, 2024
Gunners look to steal Sociedad star amid contract stalemate
Mikel Merino has twelve months left on his current contract at Sociedad, and his current employers have offered him the contract that he was looking for; however, they are not hopeful of the 28-year-old putting pen to paper this summer.
Sociedad have already started looking at Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra as a potential replacement for Mikel Merino, who looks set to move away from the La Liga giants this summer.
In a bid to persuade the 28-year-old, the Gunners are also willing to offer a ‘contract of a lifetime’ as Arsenal take up the favorite spot to land his signatures this summer. Real Sociedad are looking for a bid around £25million to sanction a Mikel Merino sale.
However, before making a move for Merino, the Gunners will look to offload some players. Emile Smith Rowe has already established links with a move to Fulham, while Marseille have made Eddie Nketiah their prime target this summer.
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