Arsenal are set to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, and the Spaniard will reunite with Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard spent a successful season on loan at Real Sociedad from Real Madrid in 2019-20, and played alongside Merino in midfield.
The pair worked well together, and both even scored in the same game as Real Sociedad recorded a shock 4-3 victory away at Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey.
Mikel Arteta has convinced Merino to move to the Emirates, and the bond between Arsenal and Real Sociedad is now growing even stronger, as the clubs have a good relationship after deals for Nacho Monreal and Kieran Tierney in recent years.
During their time together at Real Sociedad, Merino and Odegaard played alongside striker Alexander Isak, who since moved to Newcastle, and he is heavily admired by Arteta.
Merino and Isak played together a lot at Real Sociedad, and both have played for Newcastle in their careers, but there is another surprise connection between them.
Mikel Merino and Arsenal target Alexander Isak played together for Borussia Dortmund
Before both players ended up at Real Sociedad, both briefly had spells in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.
Isak moved to Dortmund in January 2017, just six months before Merino departed for Newcastle, and the pair appeared together for just four minutes of action.
In the DFB-Pokal quarter-final victory against Sportfreunde Lotte, Dortmund won 3-0, with Merino coming on as a substitute in the 71st minute, and Isak on for his club debut as a teenager in the 86th minute.
Neither player thrived at Dortmund, with Merino making just nine appearances and Isak just 13, and Merino later explained why he struggled in Germany.
“Dortmund wasn’t like I hoped it would be. When you go on an adventure like that, you get into a good mindset to play, to develop, to become an important figure. Then I arrived and things were not as I expected. I learnt a lot from a top club with top players and I’m the person I am because of my experience there. That helped push me to a higher level,” he told The Athletic in 2022.
Could Mikel Merino and Alexander Isak reunite at Arsenal?
Merino and Isak enjoyed a fruitful spell together at Real Sociedad, and the pair lifted the Copa Del Rey together.
They have now played together for two clubs, and Merino previously explained why he is a huge fan of the striker.
“Alex has already started well. His mindset is very good. He can adapt to whatever you tell him,” Merino stated of Isak shortly after his move to Newcastle.
“When he came here, he had to adapt to a very specific system of playing where he had a specific role to make an exact movement when the ball was in a certain position. Being from Sweden and being able to adapt showed how smart he is. With his abilities, his speed and strength, the Premier League is a good place for him.”
Arsenal were interested in a move for Isak this summer, but his price tag was too high and the club are no longer prioritising a centre-forward. However, Arteta has been a long-term admirer of him, and his interest is unlikely to wane if Isak continues his fine form at Newcastle.
In the future, a deal for Isak could still be incredibly difficult to pull off, but if Arsenal somehow manage it, they can reunite him with Merino and Odegaard, with all three in and around their prime years.
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