“Mikel Merino Drops Arsenal Transfer Hint, Confirming Mikel Arteta’s Big Concern”
“Mikel Merino Drops Arsenal Transfer Hint, Confirming Mikel Arteta’s Big Concern”
Mikel Merino has made a huge Real Sociedad decision amid ongoing Arsenal transfer talks. The 28-year-old, after playing a key role in helping Spain win Euro 2024, has been strongly linked with a transfer to the Gunners as Mikel Arteta and Edu look to bolster the club’s midfield ranks.
The expectation was that Thomas Partey would depart the club this summer but it has instead been a different midfielder moving on. Just a few days ago, Emile Smith Rowe saw his £34million permanent transfer to Fulham officially confirmed with the Gunners now seemingly on the hunt for a replacement.
With Merino winning more duels than anyone else in Europe’s top five leagues while also contributing to 13 goals last season, he appears to be a great fit to take Smith Rowe’s place in the squad. Though some claims suggest an agreement in the region of £25.3million is close, that is not believed to be the case.
Interest from Arsenal in Merino is strong and there have been talks with his representatives, but no official bid has actually been lodged by Arsenal, football.london understands. Though further negotiations will likely take place, Merino has already made a huge decision.
On Monday, the midfielder was captured back at Sociedad’s training ground to begin preparations for the upcoming campaign after being given an extended holiday following Spain’s success over the summer.
Merino’s return shows that a potential transfer is not that close and that certainly confirms Arteta’s biggest fear. “That’s the ideal scenario,” he said back in May after the final day win against Everton when asked if Arsenal were hopeful of getting their business done at the start of the window
“Every club wants that, we want that as coaches and for the players especially. Then for the team and for the environment. When you do that something clicks there and it’s really important because it starts to give you momentum.”
Two international tournaments prevented many clubs from getting signings through the door ahead of pre-season and now Arsenal look to have been handed a further delay for Merino. The Gunners kick off their Premier League campaign in 12 days with the visit of Wolves to Emirates Stadium and Arteta will certainly be hoping Merino is an Arsenal player when that date arrives.
