Arsenal are concentrating on an skilled midfielder to hitch the membership this summer time, as free knots at the moment are being tied up within the deal for Riccardo Calafiori.
The Italian centre-back is presently present process a medical at Arsenal, after an settlement was reached between the Gunners and Bologna for a £42m price.
With David Raya having accomplished his everlasting change from Brentford earlier this summer time, Arsenal have now began specializing in different targets – and one is on the forefront of the membership’s pondering for the ultimate week of July.
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In response to Spanish outlet Sport, Arsenal’s consideration is now focussed on bringing in Mikel Merino from Actual Sociedad, with the Spaniard set so as to add extra expertise to the Arsenal midfield.
Whereas Jorginho and Thomas Partey are each gamers Mikel Arteta has relied upon within the Premier League, it appears he desires a defensive midfielder who’s barely extra dynamic, whereas nonetheless retaining the identical on-the-ball qualities.
The report means that Arsenal will face competitors from each Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, although Merino’s desire is to make a return to the Premier League.
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Merino beforehand spent a season at Newcastle United within the 2017/18 season, taking part in 25 instances in complete for the Magpies. On the finish of the season he left for Actual Sociedad, the place he has in the end gone from energy to energy, incomes him a spot within the Euro 2024-winning Spain squad.
The 28-year-old bagged the winner within the quarter-final in opposition to Germany and featured in each recreation for Luis de la Fuente’s facet – although solely as soon as as a beginning participant. Nonetheless, Merino is a technically sensible participant who would add one other facet to the Gunners’ model in the event that they handle to safe his signature.
Transfermarkt values the Actual Sociedad man at €50m, however with only a 12 months remaining on his present deal and contemplating his age, it is possible Arsenal will try to signal him for barely cheaper.
In FourFourTwo‘s view, it is a switch that will surely make sense. Merino is a high quality participant who would be capable to implement Arteta’s imaginative and prescient with ease, whereas he gives extra legs within the centre of the pitch than the likes of Jorginho.
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