Arsenal have ended the pre-season on a very good note. They won 3 out of the 5 matches and drew another. They will try to win the Premier League title once again in the 2024/25 season. Gunners came close to Manchester City, but fell short by only two points last season. They have not been able to win the league since 2003/04 season. That season, Arsenal were Invincibles having not lost any of their league match. However, it has not been good for the Arsenal fans since then. Mikel Arteta has done very good job in the recent seasons. He feels the need of improving the squad and wants to sign a midfielder. Along with him, they need to fill some other positions too. Here is the latest news about their current transfer activity including the demands of Real Sociedad for Mikel Merino.
Arsenal have completed the signing of David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori. Raya was with the club last season on the loan. He impressed Arteta and has earned a permanent contract. Gunners were the strongest side in defence last season. They only conceded 28 goals in the league. Their defense is now even more strong as they have signed Riccardo Calafiori. Gunners paid £39 million for him and will start using him as a left back. Now, the club needs to focus on midfielder, striker and right winger.
Gunners want to complete the signing of Sociedad star Merino
Mikel Merino was not the main target for Arsenal this summer. Firstly, Gunners were linked with Martin Zubimendi who is teammate of Merino at club and international level. However, Zubimendi has no plan to leave Spain. He has even said no to join Liverpool recently. Gunners then observed Mikel Merino in the Euro 2024 tournament. They saw Merino as their potential new holding midfielder. The talks have been ongoing for very long now. Still the deal has not yet reached the final stage. Arsenal need to hurry up now as only two weeks are remaining for the transfer window to close.
Real Sociedad want £29.9 million for their midfielder. However, Merino has only one year left in his current contract. In addition, he is desperate to move to Arsenal. Gunners are taking advantage of this situation and are willing to pay only £21.3 million. According to The Independent, Arsenal want to pay the fee in the course of three years. However, Real Sociedad are demanding a larger portion of the fee to be paid now for parting ways with Mikel Merino.
Other transfer news regarding Arsenal
Many of the young Arsenal stars are moving away from the club. Recently Brooke Norton-Cuffy has joined Genoa for £2.2 million. Earlier Jack Henry-Francis, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga have went on a loan to different clubs. Now Karl Hein who played as a main keeper for Arsenal in the pre-season games has completed his loan move. He has joined Real Valladolid. Emile Smith Rowe has joined Fulham which has earned Gunners £27 million. It will be considered as pure profit as he was their academy player. Arsenal also want to part ways with Eddie Nketiah who is academy player as well.
Mikel Merino arriving from Real Sociedad will trigger the sale of Thomas Partey. He is said to be joining the club very soon. Arsenal also need to sign a top class striker who scores regularly. Another priority of Arsenal is to sign a right winger. Bukayo Saka has not been able to get enough rest in the recent seasons. Arsenal were linked with Kingsley Coman. It was said to be a loan move with an option to buy. Bayern are ready to let Coman move away. Raphinha is the other option which came forward in recent times. The transfer window will close on August 30 at 11 pm UK time.
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