Report: Edu Gaspar has personally met 'world-class' player and told him Arsenal will sign him

Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar has flown out to Spain to hold talks with Mikel Merino.

It is no secret at this point that Arsenal are trying to sign Merino to bolster their midfield ahead of the start of the new Premier League season.

The Gunners are short of options in the middle of the park after selling Emile Smith Rowe, and Merino has emerged as Arsenal’s top target.

However, talks have dragged on for about a month already, and Noticias de Gipuzkoa have revealed that Merino is getting restless behind the scenes.

Edu holds private meeting with Arsenal target Mikel Merino in Spain

Arsenal are right to target Merino this summer.

The Spaniard is terrific on the ball, incredible in duels and he possesses the technical quality to thrive in Arteta’s system at the Emirates.

To add to that, the midfielder has entered the final year of his contract at Real Sociedad as well. That makes him much easier to get than other big names.

Merino has made it clear he wants to join Arsenal, but the Gunners haven’t been able to agree a deal with the Spanish club just yet.

The report claims that Merino is getting restless about the situation, but Edu, who has flown over to Spain, has assured him that there’s nothing to worry about.

The report claims that the Arsenal sporting director has told Merino in a meeting in Donostia that a deal to sign him is getting ‘closer and closer’ and he won’t have to wear the Socedad shirt again.

Arsenal have had a bid rejected for Merino, but they are expected to go back in with an improved offer to get the deal done.

Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Sociedad and SL Be...

How much Arsenal have to pay to seal Merino deal

The Merino deal seemed like an easy one to complete for Arsenal.

The midfielder, branded as a ‘world-class’ player by Kieran Tierney (Guardian), has entered the final year of his contract, rejected an extension and has made it clear that he wants to move to the Emirates Stadium.

All signs point towards a move to Arsenal, but Sociedad are not making it easy.

The report claims that Arsenal’s first bid, which was rejected, was worth €30 million (£25.7m). Sociedad will not accept that offer and are demanding €40 million (£34.3m) to let him go.

It remains to be seen if the two sides can meet in the middle to close the deal in the coming days.