'World-class' player is totally convinced that he's going to join Arsenal this summer - journalist

Arsenal haven’t signed anyone since Riccardo Calafiori, but that is expected to change soon.

The Gunners have been working really hard behind the scenes to get new names in before the start of the new Premier League season.

Mikel Arteta’s priority now is a new midfielder, and Arsenal have been linked with quite a few names over the last few months.

However, TBR Football confirmed in July that Mikel Merino is Arsenal’s top target, and there’s a positive update coming in from Spain now.

Mikel Merino is ‘sure’ he’s going to join Arsenal

Arsenal have been chasing Merino for several weeks now.

The Gunners released Mohamed Elneny, loaned out Albert Sambi Lokonga and sold Emile Smith Rowe in this window.

That has left them short of options in the middle of the park and Arteta is keen to bolster that area of the pitch before the window shuts at the end of August.

Merino, branded as a ‘world-class’ player by Kieran Tierney (Guardian), is on top of Arteta’s list, and Arsenal have been really keen to sign him.

It was claimed on Thursday that Real Sociedad had left Merino out of their squad for their friendly against Union Berlin. The Spanish club revealed that the midfielder wasn’t fully fit.

However, Kike Marin has made a contrasting claim.

The Spanish journalist has revealed that the reason Merino did not take part in the game is because he is convinced that he’s going to sign for Arsenal.

Marin tweeted: “Mikel Merino is not going to Germany because he is sure he will go to Arsenal, but Martín Zubimendi is going because he is not sure he will go to Liverpool.

“From there, Real Sociedad is waiting for the call from Arsenal to negotiate, but he has no interest in doing so with Liverpool.”

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What Merino and Arsenal are now ‘very nervous’ about

Arsenal have been in the driving seat to sign Merino.

The Spaniard has entered the final year of his contract at Real Sociedad, and he is not extending his deal. Merino has decided he only wants to join Arsenal this summer, which made it seem like this was a pretty straightforward deal.

However, reports have claimed that Arsenal and Merino have both become ‘very nervous’ after Liverpool’s interest in Martin Zubimendi emerged.

There is a fear that if the Reds sign Zubimenid, Real Sociedad may close the door on Merino’s exit, which would be bad news for Arsenal.

That’s why the Gunners don’t want to waste any more time and are ready to table a bid to sign Merino in the coming days.