Arsenal might be closing in on signing Mikel Merino but if we are being honest, this is a transfer that came out of nowhere this summer window. Before this, there weren’t many talks of the Gunners being interested in signing the 28-year-old. At least, most of them were insignificant.
However, it is Merino’s teammate from Sociedad that the North London club has wanted for a long time. Martin Zubimendi has had two long-time admirers – Barcelona & Arsenal. The Gunners wanted to sign him even before their move for then-West Ham midfielder Declan Rice last summer.
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino pursuit gains momentum after Zubimendi decision
Zubimendi though has been committed to the La Liga club, snubbing both the Gunners and Bayern Munich in previous summers. It looks like the Spanish midfielder has handed Liverpool the same favour by categorically rejecting a transfer despite immense interest to make him Arne Slot’s first signing.
For starters, this gives the Gunners a huge boost in their pursuit of Merino. It has been revealed that Sociedad would only sell one the two players this summer and with Zubimendi set to commit his future to the club, the 28-year-old will be allowed to leave and hopefully join Arsenal.
Liverpool & Arsenal’s failed pursuit of Zubimendi
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In today’s day and age, it’s difficult to see players like the 25-year-old. However, his immense loyalty to the Spanish club is proving to be a thorn in Arsenal’s flesh as they remain unable to convince him of a move to the Emirates.
However, do we really need Zubimendi anymore? Having almost signed Merino from the Basque club, they can afford to let go of their pursuit of his 25-year-old counterpart. With Rice, Merino, Odergaard, Viera, Jorginho and Partey, the midfield has a sorted look to it and the Gunners don’t need reinforcements.
Zubimendi is not going to want to come to the Emirates to be a backup to the starters. Merino is unlikely to want to be backup either. Martin Odegaard is the captain and Rice is undroppable. Thus, signing the 25-year-old would only make things more difficult for Mikel Arteta rather than simplifying his job.
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True, the decision is no longer in our hands. The player needs to make a decision on his future. Currently, he is going to sign a contract extension with the Spanish club and rest assured, Sociedad will try and increase his release clause. This doesn’t help Arsenal’s case one bit even for the future.
Zubimendi would have been lovely to see in an Arsenal shirt. However, the ship has seemingly sailed on his signature and it’s time the Gunners move to other, low-profile targets if at all in the midfield.
