Mikel Merino stance on Arsenal transfer already made clear as Arteta an ‘admirer’ of £21m target

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Arsenal have been linked with Euro 2024 hero Mikel Merino, who could be available for a bargain price this summer.

Merino scored the winner for Spain in extra time to knock Euro 2024 host nation Germany out in the quarter-finals.

The 28-year-old has been outstanding for Real Sociedad since joining from Newcastle in 2018, and he, like his midfield partner Martin Zubimendi, has been linked with both Arsenal and Barcelona.

Merino is reportedly available for as little as £21m this summer as he enters the final year of his contract, and Mikel Arteta is interested in the Spaniard. However, he may face a problem in his pursuit.

Arsenal target Mikel Merino has a desire to play in La Liga

Merino was impressive at Newcastle, but he departed in 2018 to join Real Sociedad, and speaking at the time, he explained his decision to move was motivated by his desire to play close to his home town of Pamplona, in the Navarre region of Spain.

“I am very happy and very happy to play in a club that I love and one that I have followed since I was a child,” he stated of Real Sociedad in 2018.

“It’s very close to Osasuna. I am delighted to be here and looking forward to playing the ball.

“It’s a very nice project, with the change of the stadium and everything is good with the group. The fans here have spoken so well to me and being back to being close to home is important.

“I am feeling integrated. All of them have been important factors and I think I have made a good decision.”

Whilst this does not necessarily rule out a move back to England, it shows that Arteta may face a similar problem like he did with Zubimendi, that the player does not want to leave Spain.

Why Mikel Arteta wants Mikel Merino at Arsenal

The Athletic have now reported that Arteta admires Merino as an option in midfield because of his physical qualities.

“Arsenal want a central midfielder. One player of interest is Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino, who headed Spain’s late winner in their Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Germany. Arteta is an admirer of the former Newcastle man’s talent and physicality,” they revealed.

Merino would bring a strong blend of technical quality, goal threat and physicality to the middle of the park, and could be well suited to the left-eight role in central midfield under Arteta.

However, unless he has a newfound desire to play in the Premier League again, it appears that his future remains in the Basque Country with Real Sociedad.