Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal really like one player, but they haven’t made any bid for him yet.
The Gunners had a slow start to proceedings in this window. They were very quiet in June, but they have picked up pace in recent weeks.
After turning David Raya’s loan into a permanent deal, Arsenal are on the verge of signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
Once that’s done, TBR Football exclusively revealed that Arsenal will target a new midfielder, with Mikel Merino emerging as their top target.
Now, Romano has had his say.
Fabrizio Romano shares why he ‘can’t guarantee’ that Arsenal will sign Mikel Merino
Arsenal definitely need a new midfielder this summer.
The Gunners allowed Mohamed Elneny to leave at the end of his contract, while Albert Sambi Lokonga has been sent out on loan for the whole of the 2024/25 season.
To add to that, reports have claimed that Emile Smith Rowe is on the verge of leaving Arsenal, which leaves them a bit short in the middle of the park.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been heavily linked with a move to sign a number of midfielders in recent weeks, and Merino is said to be a key target for Arsenal.
Romano has now had his say on the situation.
The journalist has revealed that Arsenal’s appreciation of Merino is ‘100 per cent confirmed’, but at this stage, there is no guarantee that the Spaniard will join the Premier League runners-up because no negotiations are going on between the Gunners and Real Sociedad.
Romano told GiveMeSport: “Mikel Arteta was the one who was pushing to have Riccardo Calafiori this summer. So Arteta is having an important influence, obviously, together with Edu in Arsenal’s strategy.
“So, this is the idea also for Mikel Merino, the appreciation is 100 per cent confirmed, but again, we can’t guarantee that it’s going to be him, because, at the moment, there is still no bid or concrete negotiation.”
Which other midfielder could Arsenal sign?
Merino would be a great option for Arsenal.
The Spaniard, branded as ‘world-class’ by Kieran Tierney (Guardian), is excellent on the ball, outstanding in the air and he has been one of the most consistent performers in midfield in La Liga over the years.
However, if for some reason Arsenal decide against going for Merino, they will have to consider other options in the market.
With Douglas Luiz joining Juventus and Amadou Onana going to Aston Villa, the Gunners don’t have too many excellent options left.
However, it has been claimed recently that Arsenal are in talks with PSG to sign Fabian Ruiz, who was actually better than Merino at Euro 2024.
