Arsenal have got their Premier League campaign off to the best possible start and will hope for similar joy on the transfer front over the coming days.
With just over a week until the summer transfer window closes, the Gunners will likely be looking to add the finishing touches to their squad.
Arsenal have made one senior summer signing so far, bringing Riccardo Calafiori to the Emirates Stadium from Bologna.
It shouldn’t be long before the Gunners make their second senior signing of the summer, and it looks like things are developing nicely on this front.
Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Sociedad and SL Be…
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Arsenal could complete Mikel Merino deal by Thursday
Over the past few weeks, Arsenal have been in talks over Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.
Now, according to Estadio Deportivo, the breakthrough should be coming ‘between today and tomorrow’ (Wednesday and Thursday).
The Spanish outlet claims that ‘everything points’ to the Euro 2024 champion being close to securing his move to Arsenal and bringing the saga to an end.
On Tuesday, a report claimed that Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay flew to London for talks with the Gunners hierarchy over the financial side of the deal.
Sociedad reportedly rejected a deal worth €30million (£25.5million) up front and €5million (£4.3million) in add-ons.
Aperribay’s goal is to obtain at least €40million (£34million) between a fixed price and variables, added the report.
And the Basque club chief is reportedly willing to accept payment in instalments to help facilitate the transfer to Arsenal.
Merino is once again absent from training amid continuing talks between the clubs, with ‘lumbar discomfort’ cited as the official reason.
What Merino will offer Arsenal
It looks as though it won’t be long before the all-important breakthrough arrives, and when it does, it’ll be a joyous moment for the Arsenal fanbase.
Merino is a “world-class” player who has proven himself at the highest level and has won trophies with Sociedad, Borussia Dortmund and Spain.
The Guardian recently published an article describing Merino as the ‘type of midfielder Arteta would create in a lab if given the chance.’
GiveMeSport wrote earlier this week: ‘Merino’s ability to win aerial duels and make interceptions in the middle of the pitch makes him an extremely effective player.
‘In fact, the exploitation of his athletic frame was particularly useful for Spain at Euro 2024.
‘He often came on as a substitute to see out games and disrupt the opposition’s attacking patterns, especially when defensive players around him were tiring.
‘The 28-year-old could perform a similar function for an elite club side in competitive league matches and knockout rounds in the Champions League.’
If all goes well, Merino looks set to be another important piece of the puzzle as Arsenal look to finally win the Premier League title for the first time in 21 years.
