Arsenal are pushing to sign transfer target Mikel Merino this summer as deadline day fast approaches.
Mikel Arteta and Edu will be hopeful of getting the squad ready for the challenges ahead over the 2024/25 calendar.
After back-to-back second-place finishes, Arsenal will be eyeing their first Premier League title since the invincible season of 2003/04 as the action returns on Saturday.
So far, the Gunners have welcomed just one new face to join David Raya as the 2024 summer arrivals, signalling that plenty of work is yet to be done in the transfer window.
How much Arsenal will have to pay for transfer target Mikel Merino
Arsenal have been linked to Mikel Merino throughout the summer as Arteta eyes a new midfielder to bolster his squad.
The Real Sociedad star is a player wanted by the boss at the Emirates, with depth required in central midfield to support Declan Rice and Thomas Partey.
While Arsenal’s desire to sign the Spaniard is clear, Edu has a significant hurdle to overcome, as the Independent reported this week.
It’s understood that there is a pricey gap between the two clubs’ valuation of the player, who is valued at €35m (£29.9m) by Sociedad.
The issue comes as Arsenal are rumoured to be willing to pay a price closer to the region of €25m (£21.3m), signalling a hefty disagreement in price.
Merino is claimed to want the move to the Premier League, with all things clear on the personal side however, Edu must now negotiate a price with Sociedad if a deal is to be finally struck.
Edu must get the Merino deal over the line
It’s been a relatively slow summer for Arsenal in the transfer window, which is frustrating considering the work that needs to be done to close the gap on Manchester City.
The Independent’s report outlines that the Gunners ‘would prefer’ to spread any agreement over three years, but Sociedad are eager to secure ‘much more’ upfront.
- READ MORE: Mikel Merino omitted from Real Sociedad squad amid Arsenal talks, they need to ‘clarify’ two things
While Merino has just one year left on his contract in Spain, Arsenal must still respect the fact that the 28-year-old is a vital cog in Imanol Alguacil’s machine, as the transfer window enters the business end.
It will be fascinating to see how the negotiations develop from this point onwards, with anything other than securing the player’s signature set to be a failure for Edu and Arteta.
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