Arsenal and Edu may pursue a late offer for a striker in conjunction with a transfer for Mikel Merino.
Arsenal, alongside Edu, may pursue a last-minute offer for a striker while simultaneously working on securing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, as reported by a journalist.
The Gunners are currently engaged in discussions to acquire Merino, their primary target, from Sociedad this summer.
Negotiations have been ongoing for more than a week, indicating a strong interest in the player.
Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed approximately six days ago that Arsenal is actively negotiating a deal for Merino, which could be valued at around £21 million, following the agreement of personal terms with the midfielder.
Merino had a notable season with Sociedad, contributing eight goals and five assists in 45 matches across all competitions, and he played a significant role in Spain’s success at the European Championships held in Germany earlier this summer.
The former Newcastle United player brings valuable Premier League experience, making him an appealing choice for manager Mikel Arteta, who is reportedly seeking additional support in the midfield to enhance the capabilities of star player Declan Rice.
Although the transfer process has taken some time, it seems that Merino is unlikely to sign a new contract with Sociedad, suggesting that it may only be a matter of time before Arsenal secures his services for Arteta.
“Real Sociedad faces a challenge as Merino has not committed to extending his contract, at least for now,” Romano stated regarding Merino’s situation at Sociedad in a recent update.
“His preference is to join Arsenal, and he is simply awaiting their move. I believe Zubimendi’s future will not affect Merino’s situation.
“This sentiment is also shared by Real Sociedad, as they risk losing the player for free, which would pose a significant issue for a club like Real Sociedad.”
Recent reports indicate that Arsenal is optimistic about finalizing a deal for Merino in the near future.
Should this occur, fans will be eager for Edu Gaspar and his team to shift their focus towards acquiring an additional striker.
Arsenal may pursue a late striker acquisition following Merino’s signing.
According to journalist Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider, Arsenal is considering a late bid for a striker after securing Merino, although the latter remains the primary focus for Edu and Arteta at this moment.
A striker capable of scoring over 25 goals per season has long been regarded by some analysts as the crucial element missing from Arteta’s strategy.
Arsenal has been consistently linked with the search for a new striker since last year.
Players such as Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres have all been mentioned as potential targets for Arsenal since the beginning of the year, making it intriguing to see if they can successfully bring one of them on board for Arteta.
