Arsenal are pushing to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad before deadline day.
Mikel Arteta and Edu are eager to acquire Merino this summer, with several offers already turned down by Real Sociedad.
The Spanish midfielder is a wanted man in North London however, there has been a gap in the two club’s valuation of the player thus far.
Sociedad want £34m for Merino, with the 28-year-old understood to be open to making the move to the Emirates this summer.
Despite there being some anxiety regarding Arsenal’s pursuit of the Spaniard, another twist has shed a more positive light on the Gunners’ hopes.
Real Sociedad club president in London to negotiate Mikel Merino’s transfer to Arsenal
On Wednesday morning, Real Sociedad’s club president Jokin Aperribay was spotted arriving in London.
Journalist Pablo Barea reported Aperribay’s movements, explaining that the club president is in England to ‘negotiate the departure of Merino’.
Barea noted a deal worth €35m + €5m in four instalments as being the talking point behind Aperribay’s presence in the capital.
It’s certainly a positive turn in the Gunners’ pursuit of Merino, who was recently omitted from Sociedad’s LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano.
Merino deal edging closer
Arsenal are eyeing Merino to bolster Arteta’s midfield, which makes perfect sense considering the manager’s current options in the position.
With Thomas Partey’s future unknown and Jorginho being more of a reliable fringe player, Declan Rice stands alone as the Gunners’ defensive option in the engine room.
Acquiring Merino has been a priority for Arteta and Edu this summer, with the Brazilian making a personal trip to Spain in a bid to lure the 28-year-old to North London.
Now that Aperribay has embarked on his own trip, surely it’s now only a matter of time before the Spaniard is finally unveiled as an Arsenal player.
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