Atletico Madrid want €50 million-rated Barcelona midfield target – report

As reported earlier today, Barcelona retain a strong interest in Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino and are now planning to launch a move now that the UEFA Euro 2024 is out of the way.

However, signing the 28-year-old might not be straightforward as there is plenty of competition for his services.

As already reported, Arsenal are keen on signing Merino, with Mikel Arteta a huge admirer of the Spanish international. Now, another club have surfaced as competitors for Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid want Mikel Merino

Indeed, according to MARCA, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, as a replacement for exit-bound midfielder Saul Niguez.

The report states that Los Rojiblancos manager, Diego Simeone, is a huge admirer of the Spanish midfielder, whose contract stans to expire in the summer of 2025.

Mikel Merino is a man in demand. (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Merino would be a guaranteed starter at Atletico Madrid thanks to the attributes he brings to the table – the strength, quality, and his ability to make runs into the box.

Barcelona yet to make an offer

While Barcelona are open to the idea of signing Merino, the club are yet to make an offer for the midfielder.

The Blaugrana are still awaiting a return to the 1:1 Fair Play rule while at the same time, they were also waiting for the UEFA Euro 2024 to come to an end.

Now with interest in the 28-year-old growing in the form of Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, the Catalan heavyweights must move swiftly or run the risk of losing the Spanish international, who can be a good, economical addition to the squad.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication