Report: Barcelona now enter race to sign £25m attacker who Arsenal have held talks with

Arsenal have bided their time in the summer transfer window but are close to making their second signing.

Mikel Merino is on the verge of joining The Gunners after establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga over the last few seasons.

The Real Sociedad man is expected to complete a £25m switch to North London this week and could be available for the clash against Aston Villa.

Mikel Arteta has given Merino training drills to do in order to give him the best chance of making an immediate impact upon his arrival.

After that deal is completed, Arsenal could look to sign an attacker, though, one of their rumoured targets is now of interest to Barcelona.

Barcelona now want Federico Chiesa

Arsenal have held talks with Federico Chiesa’s agent over a potential move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

The Juventus wide player is out of contract in a year’s time and has been made available for sale, putting a number of suitors around Europe on red alert.

Chiesa was excluded from Juventus’ matchday squad against Como yesterday, so evidently a departure is expected to materialise before the window slams shut on August 30.

Though, now Arsenal are facing stiff competition for his signature, as Barcelona have just made contact with his agent, according to Di Marzio.

Federico Chiesa price tag slashed

Chiesa was thought to be valued at around £25m earlier in the window but there are now reports suggesting it could be much lower than that.

TBR reported earlier this month that Chiesa could cost just £13m, which suggests Juve are becoming increasingly desperate to move him on this window.

The Turin outfit won’t want to risk losing him on a free transfer next year, so forthcoming suitors could even negotiate that price down.