Report: 'One of the best' players in Europe has not trained today after rumours he's about to join Arsenal

Arsenal are really starting to ramp up their summer transfer business with deadline day fast approaching.

On the incoming front, Mikel Arteta is desperate to bring in a midfielder and has been in talks to sign one from the continent.

Now a major update has just emerged on that deal.

Mikel Merino didn’t train with Real Sociedad today

Arsenal have been in talks to sign Mikel Merino for most of the summer transfer and now a deal is edging closer.

Merino, formerly of Newcastle, is now expected to join The Gunners this week, completing a £25m deal from Real Sociedad.

According to Football London, the 28-year-old didn’t train with the La Liga outfit today, which suggests he’s due to fly to London imminently.

Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay is due to meet Arsenal to close the deal this week, so there’s a possibility Merino, who’s been labelled ‘one of the best in Europe’ per Breaking The Lines, could be available for the clash against Aston Villa on the weekend.

Arsenal now need a striker

Merino is evidently a fantastic addition but Arsenal still need to bring in a specialist number nine before the window slams shut on August 30.

Viktor Gyokeres has been linked to the Emirates, though, that deal is expected to cost north of £50m, which may be out of their price range.

Perhaps Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran should be considered as he’s available on the market for around £40m and certainly has the scope to become a prolific forward in the Premier League.