Arsenal are keen on signing Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino in order to bolster their midfield options, but could now face a problem.
Merino is reportedly keen on the move, and he has just one year remaining on his contract at Real Sociedad.
Mikel Arteta is aiming to reunited Merino with his former midfield partner Martin Odegaard, and the Spain International would be a fine addition if Arsenal can secure his signature.
However, Real Sociedad do not want to lose such an important player, and club president Jokin Aperribay has now revealed that they have offered him a new deal in a bid to convince him to stay.
Real Sociedad offer Arsenal target Mikel Merino a new contract
Speaking to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Aperribay claimed that Real Sociedad are not currently in talks over Merino’s exit, and wish for him to remain at Anoeta.
We are not in any conversation with any club to get any player to leave. We knew that the summer was going to be long and that is how it is going to be, we are going to manage [it] during August. We will try to make the team come out stronger,” he stated.
“I think that Merino has been honest with Real Sociedad during the last year, if he has not renewed it is because he did not want to tell the fans: ‘I’m staying’ – and then leave.
“I would like him not to leave. If he tells us that he likes any of the offers he has on the table, we will see. We are not negotiating with any club now.”
Mikel Merino has his own future in his hands
From these comments, it appears that if Merino pushes for a move and rejects any new contract, they will not stand in his way and block any exit.
However, they have offered him a new deal to try and tempt him to stay, which appears to be the course of action for his teammate Martin Zubimendi.
“We are aware that Merino has offers, and we know them. The conversation with him and those around him has been very sincere and hopefully his decision is to stay, he already knows that we want him to stay,” Aperribay added.
“He has had a renewal offer for some time. And if not, we will try to negotiate the best way out for Real.
“Whether [it is his release] clause or not, what we think is that the club has to look to the future. Try to be stronger every year or every day.”
Arsenal will now hope that the allure of playing under Mikel Arteta and alongside Odegaard in a title-challenging team will convince Merino to push for a move, but a deal may not necessarily be as straightforward as previously anticipated.
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