Arsenal Leading Race to Sign Spain’s Mikel Merino Ahead of Atletico Madrid
Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, ahead of Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, as the Gunners continue to bolster their squad for the upcoming season.
The Premier League club have already been busy in the transfer market, with the expected £42m acquisition of Italy international Riccardo Calafiori from Serie A side Bologna for their Euro 2024 campaign. Additionally, Arsenal have been closely monitoring Spain’s progress at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament.
Merino’s Impressive Form
Merino, 28, earned his place in Spain’s Euro 2024 squad after an impressive 2023/24 La Liga campaign, where he scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists in 32 appearances for Real Sociedad. Although he has been a bit-part player for Spain at the tournament, the experienced midfielder has made a significant impact, including scoring a brilliant last-minute header in their quarter-final victory over Germany.
Merino’s Contract and Transfer Interest
With Merino’s current Real Sociedad contract set to expire in 2025, the reports suggest he intends to leave the club this summer, with the idea of securing a significant transfer fee for his former club. This has attracted interest from both Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, but it appears that the Gunners have the upper hand in this race.
Arsenal’s Pursuit of Merino
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has identified Merino as a key piece for his future plans and has asked the club’s board to make a considerable effort to secure his signing. The report from Spain claims that ‘all roads lead’ to a £21m move to the Emirates, as the player has been ‘seduced’ by Arteta’s project.
This potential signing would bolster Arsenal’s midfield options as they aim to build on their strong performance in the Premier League and make an impact in the Champions League next season. Fans will be eagerly awaiting further developments on this transfer saga as the summer transfer window heats up.
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