3 months ago
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Arsenal are already plotting their next move in the transfer market as they close in on the signing of Mikel Merino.
The Gunners have already secured David Raya on a permanent deal after he impressed on loan last season from Brentford, while Riccardo Calafiori’s £42 million arrival was confirmed earlier this week.
Attention has swiftly turned to bolstering a midfield engine room that is heavily relient on Declan Rice.
Mikel Arteta has identified Merino as the ideal candidate to compliment Declan Rice and a £25 million deal is close to being agreed with Real Sociedad.
Once the Spain international is on board, the Gunners will focus on securing what they hope will be the final piece in their jigsaw.
In order to raise funds, however, Arsenal will look to offload a number of fringe players.
Emile Smith Rowe’s £27 million transfer to Fulham is likely to be completed over the weekend, while the exits of fellow Hale End Academy Graduates, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah, are imminent.
Arsenal have been locked in negotiations with Marseille over deal for Nketiah for the best part of a fortnight.
Marseille, who are scouring the market for a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replacement, have already seeen one bid batted away with Arsenal holding out for £30 million.
As and when Nketiah leaves, Arsenal will then focus on adding a centre forward to their ranks, according to the Evening Standard.
The identity of the striker Arsenal will target has yet to be confirmed, but last season’s Premier League runners-up hold long-standing interest in Napoli’s Victor Osimhen as well as Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Reports last week claimed Arsenal were readying a £60 million bid for Gyokeres, but the Portuguese club were holding out for £80m as per his release clause.
Both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have already been on target during pre-season but the addition of a new, recognised goalscorer would undoubltedly boost Arsenal’s chances of overhauling Manchester City.
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