Ezequiel Fernandez is one of many midfielders that has been linked with a summer transfer to Arsenal.
The Boca Juniors star has been impressing in Argentina over the past few years with those strong performances continuing while representing his country at the Olympics. The 22-year-old featured for 269 minutes across four games before Argentina were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by France.
Against Iraq, Fernandez showed his ability to contribute in both boxes with 12 ball recoveries made and a stunning long-range strike which helped seal a 3-1 victory. The Gunners were first linked to Fernandez back in the January transfer window with contact said to have been made.
Prior to Arsenal links emerging, Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah saw a £13.2million bid rejected, though their interest remained. Fernandez signed a new contract earlier this year, which runs until 2028, but it is now rather clear that deal included a release clause which has been activated.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Al-Qadsiah have confirmed with formal documents their decision to trigger his £15.4million (€18m) release clause with Fernandez set to sign a five-year contract in the Middle East and link up with former Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
With Fernandez now off the market, all attention has to be on signing Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino as the club’s Emile Smith Rowe replacement. The England international had his £34million transfer to Fulham confirmed last week with funds now available for Arsenal to sign Merino.
However, that deal is not as close as many believe amid claims a £25.3million (€30m) is close to being agreed. Interest is certainly there from Arsenal and there has also been contact with the players representatives, but talk of an agreement being close is believed to be wide off the mark.
Arsenal could receive boost very soon though, with Merino due to report to Sociedad training and thus any absence will certainly hint at his desire to join Mikel Arteta’s squad.
