Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has come out to address the situation regarding Mikel Merino and his proposed move to Arsenal. The clubs have been in talks and reports suggested that last week the club had its first offer in the region of €30million (£25million) knocked back.
Mikel Arteta is huge fan of Merino but the club have been looking to ensure that the deal is done on the best possible terms. Arsenal have been able to secure deals for players to keep spending within Profit and Sustainability Regulations and comparatively to clubs like Chelsea, progress the side without overspending on players.
However, it looks as though the La Liga side will be standing firm on their valuation of the player, although with just one year on his deal, this could prove challenging. There are just 11 days left of the English transfer window and getting Merino through the door this week could see him made available for the squad to face Aston Villa on Sunday.
Reported by San Sebastian-based journalist Sean Ituarte, the president was speaking at the press conference. Asked about Merino, however, and Aperribay provided a detailed response.
“Last week we had conversations and a meeting with Arsenal,” he said. “We will see how it progresses.
“Merino told us that he feels very much like a Real Sociedad player. He told us that he wanted to return to the Premier League and that if no offer came in we would talk about renewing his contract.
