S Poddar
Arsenal remains insistent on signing Mikel Merino after the La Liga club, Real Sociedad, rejected their first offer. The initial bid presented by the Premier League club is reportedly valued at €25 million, which wasn’t enough for Sociedad, who want about €35 million for the Spanish midfielder.
Gunners sporting director Edu is in advanced talks with Sociedad. Merino has just a year left on his contract, who accepts the personal terms presented by Arsenal, and is keen to return to the Premier League following his earlier stint with Newcastle. Real Sociedad, though, having just managed to get Martín Zubimendi to agree to a new deal despite interest from Liverpool, hope for a similar case involving Merino.
It’s believed that Arsenal will come back with an improved offer soon, though a deal might not be finalized any time soon considering the new Premier League season is getting closer.
Merino was indispensable for Sociedad last season, playing every match of their Champions League campaign and played his part in Spain’s win at Euro 2024.
Elsewhere, Arsenal will need to sell some players before the Wolves opener. Ajax’s first bid for Aaron Ramsdale was rejected and the club is now considering Espanyol’s Joan García as his long-term replacement in case Ramsdale leaves the team.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth are eyeing a move for Eddie Nketiah – and even more so following the news that Marseille were scared off by Arsenal’s £40 million valuation. Having lost Dominic Solanke to Tottenham, Bournemouth are in the market for a new striker and could try their luck with Arsenal over Nketiah.
