Arsenal keen to repeat Jorginho transfer trick but still haven’t made ‘contact’ for Arteta target

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Arsenal are yet to make any kind of formal contact with the club of one summer transfer target wanted by Mikel Arteta.

With the transfer market gathering pace, Arsenal are expected to conduct some meaningful business in the coming weeks.

It is clear that Mikel Arteta is keen to add to his squad in several key areas. Arsenal are now closing in on a deal for Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian defender impressed at Euro 2024 this summer, and will make for an exciting addition to the Gunners’ ranks. 

Signing a central midfielder is also a priority for Arsenal. It is vital that the North London club bring in a player who can complement Declan Rice in the middle of the park. 

In order to fulfil this role, Arteta is keen on Mikel Merino, who also played an important role at Euro 2024, as part of the Spain squad that won the tournament. 

However, despite Merino being heavily linked with a switch to Arsenal, there is still seemingly a long way to go before a deal will be reached. 

• READ MORE: Every player linked to and from Arsenal in the summer 2024 transfer window

Arsenal yet to begin negotiations for Mikel Merino transfer

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking to GiveMeSport: “Arsenal are considering Mikel Merino, but at this stage there is no club-to-club contact. Merino will be available at value because he’s into the final year of his Real Sociedad contract.

Arsenal are not afraid to buy a bit older or add names who perhaps won’t stay for longer than two-three seasons. Jorginho is one example of this, and has proven to be a smart signing.”

Due to the midfielder’s contract situation, and consequent availability in this transfer window, the Gunners may be willing to bide their time with this deal, knowing that it ought to prove straightforward to complete. 

In the meantime, they can focus their time and resources on more complicated negotiations. If Arsenal are convinced that they already have Merino himself sold on a switch to the Emirates Stadium then there is no need to rush.

The Real Sociedad star would certainly add some much-needed experience to Arsenal’s ranks, just as Jorginho did when he came to the club. He has even played in the Premier League before, during a loan spell with Newcastle United. 

Arteta is known to be willing to ‘abandon’ the Arsenal policy of buying young players in order to land Merino, but at 28-years-old the Spaniard still has several peak years ahead of him too.