Real Sociedad are making a desperate attempt to keep Mikel Merino, but he’s informed them he wants Arsenal and a deal is close.

Noticias de Gipuzkoa report that Mikel Merino has already told Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay that he wants to join Arsenal, but the club are nonetheless making a desperate effort to tie the midfielder down to a new contract.

Sociedad are willing to make Merino and Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi the highest-paid players in their squad, but the feeling is that it’s too late, and that it’s not a question of money.

The indications are that Merino’s future will be resolved within days. Whilst the Zubimendi saga may take longer, it could also be done soon.

Fabrizio Romano had reported on Thursday that Arsenal remained in active talks to complete the Merino deal, with the player already having agreed on personal terms.

According to Romano, the clubs were continuing to work on the deal’s structure and payment terms for a fee of over €25m (£21.5m).

Rival suitors Atletico Madrid and Barcelona had already been informed of Merino’s desire to join Arsenal, so it’s seemingly only the Gunners in the race now.

Elsewhere, football insider Team News and Ticks reports on Patreon that the Merino deal will be done next week.

There had been some speculation in recent days that Arsenal were continuing to explore alternatives to Merino, and his absence from Real Sociedad’s pre-season friendly was put down to fitness rather than an imminent transfer.

But most sources are now increasingly in agreement that the transfer is inevitable, it’s just a matter of when it gets done.