Arsenal are set to welcome Riccardo Calafiori to north London but Mikel Arteta’s summer transfer business won’t stop there. Further arrivals and departures are expected at the Emirates Stadium between now and the summer transfer deadline.
Versatile defender Calafiori will give Arteta added depth and an extra option at left-back – arguably Arsenal’s weakest position last season. The Italian is due to have his medical with the Gunners in the USA, where they are currently on a pre-season tour, before completing a deal worth around £40million in total.
Once Calafiori’s arrival is signed and sealed, Arsenal are expected to pursue midfield targets, and the stars are aligning for Mikel Merino to be Arteta’s next recruit.
The 28-year-old scored an extra-time goal that sent Spain through to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, and he enjoyed a strong tournament under Luis de la Fuente. Real Sociedad would reportedly be open to selling him for just £21m
Although Barcelona are also interested in Merino, reports indicate that they will only table a bid if Frenkie de Jong is sold. Given that the Dutchman is currently injured and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere, Arsenal could effectively have a free run at Merino.
The central midfielder has less than a year to run on his Sociedad contract, putting pressure on the La Liga side to cash in while they can this summer.
Merino rose through the ranks with Osasuna before being snapped up by Borussia Dortmund as a youngster. He spent only one year in Germany before a brief stint with Newcastle United, where he made 24 Premier League appearances across two seasons.
Arsenal are yet to raise cash through permanent player sales this summer but that could be about to change. Emile Smith Rowe is closing in on a £35m move to Fulham which would equal the Gunners’ record sale.
