Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has just landed a big boost in the transfer market as the club of one of his targets is resigned to selling the Euro 2024 star in this summer’s window.
The European Championship brought mixed success for the Gunners stars who headed over to Germany. David Raya will return to N5 as a Euro 2024 champion with Spain, after beating Arsenal’s England trio of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale in the final in Berlin.
Arteta also used Euro 2024 as a chance to scout several potential targets with players linked with transfers to Arsenal throughout the tournament. Now, the club of one of the stars they monitored has gifted Arteta a nice boost by accepting the Arsenal target is likely to move on.
Real Sociedad are resigned to selling Arsenal target Mikel Merino
That is according to the Mirror, which reports that Real Sociedad are now resigned to selling Mikel Merino amid interest from Arsenal in a transfer. Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona are also great admirers of the 28-year-old who enjoyed a major role in Spain winning Euro 2024.
Arsenal, Atletico and Barcelona are keeping tabs on Merino’s situation after entering the last year of his contract this month. The Premier League and La Liga giants each hope to secure a cut-price deal given he will be free next summer, which Real Sociedad now hope to avoid.
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Real Sociedad now accept that it is most probable that Merino gets a transfer away from the Anoeta Stadium. So, the Txuri-Urdin have also slapped a price tag of nothing less than £25m on their midfielder. He has been at the Basque outfit since 2018 and is a leader in the squad.
Mikel Arteta is urging Arsenal to secure Mikel Merino’s transfer
Real Sociedad are now reluctantly resigned to selling Merino to avoid him leaving for free in 2025. His departure would remove a key part of the Txuri-Urdin’s XI, though. He sporadically captained them last season amid scoring five and assisting three goals in 32 La Liga games.
Merino also offered Spain a threat in the final third en route to winning Euro 2024. While he only started in their final group B tie with Albania, the Pamplona native featured in all seven of La Roja’s ties and scored their extra-time winner over Germany to catch Arteta’s interest.
A move for the midfielder in N5 is gaining pace this summer after Arteta made it clear to the Arsenal hierarchy that he wants Merino. Sporting director Edu has even contacted the 28-cap Spaniard’s entourage to test the waters over his interest in a move to Emirates Stadium.
Yet despite Arteta’s interest in a deal, Arsenal are still yet to contact Real Sociedad to debate a transfer for Merino. But the Txuri-Urdin’s latest stance might bring Edu to the table to start negotiations. He will also have more time on his hands once Ricciardo Calafiori joins Arsenal.
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