Arsenal are in talks to sign Real Soceidad midfielder Mikel Merino after having an initial bid rejected by the Spanish club.
The Gunners sent an offer of £21.4m according to the Guardian, however, it was rejected by Sociedad who are resigned to selling Merino this summer.
Despite their resignations, the Spanish club have set a price tag of around £30m for the 28-year-old who has set the Emirates as his preferred destination this summer.
Sociedad had offered Merino a new contract as he only has one year left, however, he rejected the offer due to his desire to make a Premier League move this summer.
The Gunners are expected to come back with another offer, however, negotiations could be ongoing until late in the transfer window as their priority will be set on the first weekend of the season when Arsenal face Wolves.
Merino signing could depend upon Arsenal striker departure
The Gunners had been in talks with Marseille over selling Eddie Nketiah, however, the French side was put off by Arsenal’s £40m price tag. However, new suitors have emerged in the form of Premier League rivals Bournemouth.
After the Cherries sold Dominic Solanke to Spurs, they are now looking for a new goalscorer, Nketiah could be a potential target.
Contract agreement confirmed by Fabrizio Romano
Football journalist Romano has confirmed that Arsenal and Merino have agreed a contract. He took to X to say: “Merino wants Arsenal, contract 100% agreed.”
🚨🔴⚪️ More on Mikel Merino deal.
Arsenal and Real Sociedad have been in contact for weeks, formal bid part of the process after long verbal talks over deal structure.
Similar to Calafiori story, clubs negotiating best solution.
Merino wants Arsenal, contract 100% agreed. pic.twitter.com/LkfDr1kRjE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2024
The move will depend on whether the Gunners and Real Sociedad can agree on a transfer fee. They may have to dip into their pockets and fork out the £30m asking price for the Spanish international.
