Arsenal squad is preparing for the first game of the 2024/25 season. They are hoping to finally win the Premier League title after coming close in the past two seasons. Gunners will play against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the opening game of the season. Arsenal will play the first match at their home in the Emirates. Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners and made them title challenging team. However, he fell short to win the league and now he finally wants to end the drought. He wants to make his side strong and sign some top quality players. One of their main target is Mikel Merino. Arsenal sporting director Edu Gasper has now held a private meeting with Mikel Merino.
Arsenal to sign Merino soon
Mikel Merino has been linked with Arsenal since a very long time. He was not their primary target. However, he came into their attention during the Euro 2024. Merino played an important part to make Spain champions of Europe. He even scored a goal late into extra time against Germany. That goal resulted in hosts getting knocked away in quarter finals. In addition, Merino has a very good 2023/24 season with Real Sociedad. He won the most number of duels in Europe’s top five leagues. Gunners saw him as the potential holding midfielder next season.
Mikel Merino is in the last year of his current contract. He has rejected to renew his contract. In addition, Merino is said to have agreed personal terms with Arsenal. Gunners want to take the advantage of his current contract situation. They want to pay very less than his release clause. Merino has £52 million release clause in his current contract. However, due to his contract expiring next year, Sociedad are demanding around £35 million.
Arsenal submitted an opening bid of around £25 million. However, it was rejected by Sociedad. The negotiations are still ongoing. The deal is expected to get completed very soon. According to recent reports, Gunners are now ready to pay around £30 million. Arsenal are confident about signing Mikel Merino.
Edu Gasper meets Mikel Merino
Arsenal sporting director Edu recently met Mikel Merino. Mikel Merino was getting restless due to the long ongoing talks between the club. It is said that he only wants to join Arsenal. According to Noticias De Gipuzkoa, Edu visited Spain to meet and comfort the player. Edu has told Merino to not worry about anything. He is confident that they will sign Merino this summer. This talk with Edu, will give Merino a lot of confidence. He will hope that the deal gets over the line soon.
Mikel Arteta was asked a question relating to Mikel Merino. He was asked does ‘Mikel like Mikel’ in an intersting way. Arteta replied in funny way that he likes himself. Later the interviewer said Mikel Merino. Arteta replied that he cannot talk about other players. He said that their main focus is to improve their current players. However, he said that if there are certain opportunities in the market, they will need to look at them. It is safe to say that Edu Gasper is currently working on those opportunities and we may see Merino joining Arsenal very soon.
Emile Smith Rowe has left the club. Gunners have earned £27 million from his sale to Fulham. Some other players like Eddie Nketiah and Thomas Partey are also said to leave the club. Gunners are strong financially and will not have problem to meet the expectations of Real Sociedad. In addition, they still need to find a striker and a right winger. The transfer window will close on August 30. Gunners need to speed up their process and sign the suitable players in all these three positions if they want to get their hands on the Premier League title this season.
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