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Arsenal ‘getting closer’ to signing Mikel Merino

By Ritayan Chatterjee on August 6, 2024

Arsenal are reportedly ‘getting closer’ to signing Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino this summer, as per the transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners have bolstered their squad by signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. Additionally, they have purchased David Raya permanently following a season-long loan stint last term.

However, it has been reported that the North London club also want a new midfielder before the end of this window with Merino being mentioned as the primary option.

It has already been suggested that Arsenal have managed to agree on personal terms with the midfielder and have now been in talks with La Real to finalise the move.

Speaking on GiveMeSport, Romano has claimed that Arsenal are continuing negotiations with the Spanish side to clarify the payment terms and the add-on structure.

Merino to Arsenal

The journalist further claims that the Gunners have been progressing talks verbally and haven’t made the formal offer so the move hasn’t been finalised yet but it’s ‘getting closer’.

Romano said:

“It’s getting closer. It’s not done yet. They still need some conversations with Real Sociedad in terms of payment terms and the structure of add-ons, so they still need to clarify some important parts of the deal with Real Sociedad. But the conversation between Arsenal and Real Sociedad is ongoing; at the moment, it’s all verbal exchanges, so still no official bid to close the deal.”

Merino has entered the final year of his current contract and reportedly doesn’t want to renew it to take the next step in his career. So, Real Sociedad are ready to cash in on him to avoid losing him for free next year and are willing to accept a fee of around £26m.

The Spaniard is a box-to-box player and Mikel Arteta used Declan Rice in this position last season. So, Arsenal’s pursuit of Merino might be the indication that the Gunners boss is planning to use Rice in the holding midfield position next season.

Therefore, it is going to be interesting to see who will be Arteta’s preferred midfield trio next season if Merino eventually joins the club over the coming days.