Arsenal have already got one senior signing over the line this summer, and now they’re looking to make a second acquisition.
The Gunners left it somewhat late before making their first summer signing as they landed Riccardo Calafiori in late July.
Now, Arsenal are determined to bring a new midfielder to the Emirates Stadium, and they’re pushing to sign one player in particular.
The player in question is Real Sociedad and Spain star Mikel Merino, who has been impressive for club and country alike in recent years.
David Ornstein of The Athletic has now published a new update on the state of play involving Arsenal and Merino.
Arsenal pushing for Mikel Merino as Edu travels to Spain
Ornstein, taking to X, has reported that Arsenal are now stepping up their efforts to sign Merino from Sociedad.
Talks are ongoing, with Gunners director Edu having travelled to Spain this week in order to pursue an agreement with the Liga club.
Personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue for Merino, added Ornstein.
However, the journalist added that Arsenal are likely to move a player on so they can seal a deal for Merino.
This could be either before or after getting a deal for the 28-year-old over the line, added Ornstein.
However, the Gunners seem determined to get this deal over the line, and talks are ongoing.
Arsenal trying to sign the ‘type of midfielder Arteta would create in a lab’
Arsenal could do with strengthening their midfield ranks this summer, especially since Albert Sambi Lokonga has left on loan and Emile Smith Rowe has been sold to Fulham.
Now, it looks as though the Gunners are making good progress towards the signing of Merino, who boasts an impressive CV for club and country.
Merino has excelled with Spain throughout his career, winning Euro 2024, the Nations Cup and two Euros at age level, plus a Spanish Cup with Sociedad and a German Cup with Borussia Dortmund.
In terms of his style of play, The Guardian recently published an article describing Merino as the ‘type of midfielder Arteta would create in a lab if given the chance.’
They went on to say: ‘He is press-resistant, creative, combative and, above all, a duel-winning machine; Merino won more aerial duels (168) than any other midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues last season.
‘Like Rice, who Arsenal paid around £105million for last summer, Merino is an impressively complete midfielder.
‘He can step forward as a No 8 and lead the press, as Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard often does, but he can also defend deep as a No 6 when required, whether that be alongside another player or on his own.’
