Arsenal are reportedly eager on a transfer for Actual Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino however may face competitors from Barcelona for his signature.
Mikel Arteta’s facet are eager to welcome a brand new midfielder to the Emirates Stadium this summer time and will have settled on the Spanish star, whose contract with Sociedad is ready to run out in 2025.
Based on Mundo Deportivo, supervisor Arteta is alleged to personally be serious about Merino’s skillset and the Gunners are exploring a deal. Nevertheless, they are not the one workforce monitoring him with Barca and new supervisor Hansi Flick additionally monitoring developments.
Sociedad are thought to worth Merino at round €25m, a price that is realistically inexpensive for the north London facet, whereas Barca could wrestle to search out the required money.
Reviews additionally state Arteta has already began to carve Merino into his plans with Sport confirming the Spaniard has personally reached out to his compatriot in a bid to sweeten the transfer.
If Merino does select Arsenal over Barcelona, he’ll return to the Premier League after beforehand impressing at Newcastle United. After turning into a fan favorite at St James’ Park, the midfielder swapped the Magpies for Sociedad in the summertime of 2018.
In an interview with Faro de Vigo whereas on worldwide obligation with Spain at Euro 2024, Merino was requested about his views on the Premier League and his time at Newcastle amid curiosity from golf equipment like Arsenal.
He stated: “What marked me essentially the most in Newcastle was the stadium, the followers. I feel it was a novel life, feeling what St James’ Park is, I’ll all the time have it in my coronary heart and thoughts as a result of it’s one thing distinctive.
“If there may be one factor I’m comfortable about all through this journey, it’s that the steps I’ve taken in my profession have been excellent and on the proper time to proceed rising as a footballer who has undergone a development course of. And I do not need it to finish.”
Earlier than he seems to be forward to the 2024/25 marketing campaign, Merino should first navigate Euro 2024. He made substitute appearances in opposition to Croatia and Italy earlier than beginning Spain’s closing Group B fixture in opposition to Albania.
