Arsenal are in need to sign a new midfielder. They want to sign a holding midfielder who will partner up with Declan Rice. The most heavily linked name with Arsenal was of Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino. Merino was not the top priority of the club. He was linked with Gunners only after the Euro 2024. Along with Arsenal, many other clubs were linked with Merino. Here are the latest transfer news about Mikel Merino.
Arsenal want to sign a holding midfielder this summer. Arteta is planning to use Declan Rice as number eight next season same as he did at the end of 2023/24 season. Rice did play as holding midfielder for the most of the season. However, Arteta now seems to make him his first choice number eight. Thomas Partey is the current holding midfielder. However, he is very likely to be sold by Gunners. Another option is Jorginho. However, he will turn 33 years old this december and hence cannot play on regular basis.
Firstly, Gunners were linked with Martin Zubimendi. However the move failed as the player had no plan to leave Spain. Fabrizio Romano recently made a bold statement that Arsenal never negotiated with Zubimendi this summer. Gunners were also linked with Douglas Luiz who joined Juventus. After Euro 2024, Arsenal were very impressed by Mikel Merino. Merino had a very good 2023/24 season with Real Sociedad. He was also very good with Spain and became a European champion with country too.
Latest transfer news about Mikel Merino
Fabrizio Romano has recently tweeted that Arsenal are in talks to complete the Mikel Merino deal. Earlier he told that Gunners have already agreed personal terms with Merino. Merino is ready to join Arsenal. Romano said that Atletico and Barcelona have been informed about the desire.
Arsenal are speeding up the transfer process. It is said that he will join Gunners next week. Arsenal have lead in the race. Barcelona have signed Dani Olmo for huge fee. In addition, they are in financial crisis. Their deal for Nico Williams also seems to be off. Atletico Madrid have now signed Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. They have also signed Julian Alvarez for a huge transfer fee. Their summer transfer seems to be up. If not, it seems like they will atleast not sign another midfielder.
Why are Arsenal speeding up the process
Fabrizio Romano said that Gunners are operating the transfer process in unique way. He said they are focused upon one position at a time. Firstly, Gunners made David Raya their permanent keeper. Later, they signed Riccardo Calafiori who will play as a left back. Now the club is focused on midfielder. Later they will sign a striker and a right winger. However, the first week of August is already up. The transfer market will close on 30th August at 11 pm UK time.
There is now some interesting transfer news about Mikel Merino. Liverpool are linked with Martin Zubimendi who is the club and international teammate of Merino. Real Sociedad will not like to part ways with both of their midfielders. Hence, Arsenal are speeding up the transfer process for Merino as they will not like to lose him. According to Caught Offside, Merino will cost Gunners more than €25 million. His release clause is around £52 million. However, his current contract expires next year.
Merino has been with Real Sociedad since 2018. He has played 242 matches for the club. In those matches, Merino has scored 27 goals along with providing 30 assists. It will be a very good addition to Arsenal squad. Merino can play as holding midfielder, centre midfielder as has even played as defender on some occasions.
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