Report: Agent of 'world class' midfielder confirms Arsenal are trying to sign him as Merino alternative

Arsenal now have just over two weeks to get their business over the line before the deadline at the end of the month.

Having signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, Mikel Arteta is going into Arsenal‘s season opener against Wolves on the weekend with just one new face.

One player who remains on the lips of those in north London is Mikel Merino with Arsenal plotting their bid for the Real Sociedad midfielder.

The talk about a potential move for the Spain international have now been going on for weeks with the Gunners seemingly no close to pulling the trigger.

Just days separate Arsenal from their first game of the season and they are still pondering over the possibility of making their move for Merino.

Perhaps that is because they may have other options on the table with the agent of one midfielder confirming contact with the north London side.

Agent says Arsenal have made contact with ‘incredible’ midfielder

The talks of Merino making a move to Arsenal have heated up since the conclusion of the Euros.

However, there has not been a great deal of progression over recent weeks with the move seemingly stagnating.

But it seems as if the Gunners have another midfielder on their radar as a potential alternative to the Spaniard.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, agent and mother of Adrien Rabiot, Veronique, has admitted there have been a number of clubs in contact about her son this summer.

And one of those clubs is claimed to be Arsenal as they continue to search for a new midfielder over the remaining weeks of the window.

“I am talking to certain clubs, no other person should speak for me,” she said.

Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Galatasaray are also the other clubs who are said to have been in touch over the former Juventus midfielder.

Arsenal could land ‘incredible’ player with Adrien Rabiot

What will be interesting to see this summer with Rabiot is how much clubs are willing to pay when it comes to his wages.

During his time in the game, Rabiot has racked up the experience across his time at Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

Rabiot has been hailed as ‘world class‘ but the midfielder is going to be demanding a significant wage considering he is now a free agent.

Arsenal have been said to be in pole position for Rabiot, so perhaps they could now make their move for the France international instead of Merino.