Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been “in contact” with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino “on numerous occasions” to try and convince the player to make the switch to the Emirates, according to Relevo.com.
The Spanish website reports that the Gunners have moved ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the race to sign the 28-year-old mainly because of Arteta’s involvement in negotiations.
It is believed that the Gunners are ready to pay €30m (£25m) plus add-ons for Merino, despite the Spaniard having less than twelve months left on his contract at Real Sociedad.
Relevo report that the midfielder’s transfer to the Emirates could be wrapped up in the “next few days” as long as there are no issues with the medical or paperwork.
What do fans need to know about Merino?
The Spanish international started his career with Osasuna before making the switch to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2016.
However, Merino only lasted a year in Germany prior to being loaned out to Newcastle. Despite performing well in his one season with the Magpies, the player was keen on moving back to Spain.
Within weeks of the midfielder joining the Premier League club on a permanent basis following his loan spell, he joined Real Sociedad for €12m. He has spent the last six years as a regular in the La Liga side’s starting eleven. His performances have also been rewarded with call-ups to the national team and he was part of the squad that won Euro 2024 last month.
He would be Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer
The Gunners have already recruited two players for the first team, with David Raya having joined from Brentford on a permanent basis, and Riccardo Calafiori arriving from Bologna for £42m.
Two goalkeepers, Lucas Nygaard and Tommy Setford, have also been brought in this summer for the club’s academy.
