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Tom OlverPublished Aug 22, 2024, 7:59am|Updated Aug 22, 2024, 8:00am
Arsenal are edging closer to wrapping up the signing of Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino after a positive round of talks on Wednesday.
Riccardo Calafiori remains Arsenal’s one and only summer addition with the clock ticking on the transfer window but the north London giants are pushing hard to get a deal over the line for Merino before the deadline.
Merino is regarded as one of the finest midfielders in La Liga and played a key role off the substitutes bench in Spain’s triumphant European Championship campaign earlier this summer.
The Gunners had an initial offer of around €25million (£21.4m) knocked back by Sociedad and it’s understood the Spanish outfit have been holding out for a bid in the region of £30-35m for their prized possession.
According to Mail Sport, Arsenal sporting director Edu jetted out to Spain with a view to hurrying the negotiations along and the Premier League giants are ‘closing in’ on a total agreement.
Sociedad left Merino out of their opening La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, which ended in defeat, though head coach Imanol Alguacil insisted in the build-up that the Spain international ‘still belonged’ to them.
Merino has Premier League experience after spending a year with Newcastle and Arsenal are confident the Euro 2024 winner fits the profile Mikel Arteta wishes to add to his squad in the middle of the park.
With just a year remaining on Merino’s contract, Sociedad must decide whether to cash in on the player now or risk losing him on a free transfer when his deal expires next summer.
Speaking to Spanish radio station Onda Vasca, Sociedad’s president Jokin Aperribay stressed that the club would not be bullied in agreeing a deal with Arsenal for Merino.
‘Merino was clear that he didn’t want to say he was renewing [his contract] and then leave. It wasn’t a surprise to us,’ Aperribay said.
‘Unfortunately, one of the teams we didn’t want to show up showed up.
‘We will talk to Arsenal and defend the interests of La Real. When we consider that the offer is good, we will say yes.
‘We know what Merino’s wishes are, so we decided that he should not be called up [against Vallecano].’
Arsenal have also been credited with a strong interest in Merino’s fellow countryman, Joan Garcia, who is being eyed as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale.
Recent reports claimed the Gunners had agreed personal terms with the Espanyol goalkeeper, with Wolves pursuing a loan deal for Ramsdale.
Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah could be set for a switch to Nottingham Forest, but Arsenal are holding out for an offer of £30m for the forward after turning down an initial £25m bid from their Premier League rivals.
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