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Arsenal continuing active talks to sign Mikel Merino

By Ritayan Chatterjee on August 15, 2024

Arsenal are reportedly continuing ‘active’ negotiations with Real Sociedad over a deal to sign Mikel Merino this summer, as per the transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

It has widely been suggested that the Gunners are keen on signing a new midfielder in this transfer window. Initially, it seemed they were considering signing a new deep-lying playmaker as Jorginho has already entered his 30s, while Thomas Partey has been struggling with fitness problems in recent years.

Declan Rice was signed last summer and it was thought that he would be the North London club’s defensive midfielder for the future. But, Mikel Arteta used him in the box-to-box role more than in the number six position last term.

Douglas Luiz, Amadou Onana and Martin Zubimendi were all linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium earlier this summer but Arsenal didn’t make a concrete approach to sign any one of them.

Instead, Arsenal have been pushing to sign Merino. The Gunners opened talks with La Real to get the deal done a few weeks ago but they haven’t been able to lure him to the Emirates Stadium yet.

Merino to Arsenal

Now, Romano has provided a fresh update regarding Arsenal’s pursuit of the midfielder and has said that the North London club are in ‘direct contact’ with Real Sociedad to get the deal done and the two parties remain in ‘active’ talks. The journalist further claims that Merino wants to join Arsenal and the Emirates club have already agreed on personal terms with him.

The Spaniard has entered the final year of his current contract and has no intention of extending it to take the next step in his career. So, Real Sociedad are ready to cash in on him this summer to avoid losing him for free next year and want around £25m.

Merino is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder and is technically sound. He is comfortable with possession and can play threading passes between the lines. Additionally, he has the efficiency of dribbling past opposition defenders and is also excellent in the air.

So, it remains to be seen how Arteta field his midfield trio next season if Arsenal eventually secure the Spaniard’s signature before the end of this transfer window.