The Gunners had a very quiet June. They sat back and allowed all the PSR-affected clubs to make their moves, but they have been considerably more active since the turn of July.
David Raya’s loan has been turned into a permanent deal, while Arsenal are edging closer to the signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
The next task on the checklist is to sign a new midfielder, and the Gunners have reportedly met the agents of one of their key targets.
Arsenal hold meeting with Mikel Merino’s agents
Euro 2024 champion Mikel Merino is a wanted man.
The talented Spanish midfielder has been brilliant for Real Sociedad since he joined them from Newcastle United back in 2018.
Now, the 28-year-old has entered the final year of his contract, and he has become a wanted man.
Arsenal and Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move to sign Merino this summer, while Atletico Madrid are said to be interested in the midfielder as well.
The Gunners are on the market for a new midfielder, and Merino’s quality on the ball, versatility in midfield and brilliance in duels make him the perfect fit.
Reports have even claimed that Arteta is personally trying to convince Merino to join Arsenal ahead of any other club this summer.
Now, CaughtOffside have shared some more details about the situation.
The report has revealed that Arteta has made Merino his number-one transfer target now. The Arsenal boss really wants to sign him.
The Gunners have held a meeting with Merino’s agents and have received information about what it would take to sign the player in this window.
Merino, who was branded as a ‘world-class’ player by Kieran Tierney (Guardian), has rejected Sociedad’s contract offers and is expected to be sold in the coming weeks.
One Arsenal player could explode if Merino signs for the Gunners
Arsenal have a fantastic squad.
The Gunners have top-quality players in almost every position on the pitch, and although most of them have been exceptional over the last two years, some struggled in the 2023/24 season.
One such player is Gabriel Martinelli, who really missed Granit Xhaka’s presence in the side. The lack of a left-footed number eight complicated things for the Brazilian, who was often left isolated on the touchline.
If Arsenal sign Merino along with Calafiori, the left side of the Gunners’ pitch could become just as good as the opposite side. Merino could become Arsenal’s new Xhaka.
That would make Arteta’s side a lot more complete and could help Martinelli reach the heights that he did in the 2022/23 season in which he scored 15 goals in the Premier League.
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