Arsenal are looking to strike a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.
The Spaniard has a £55 million release clause, but the Gunners will be looking to negotiate a fee lower than that as his current contract expires in 2025.
According to David Ornstein, Arsenal have stepped up their efforts to sign the 28-year-old midfielder.
Mikel Arteta has been trying to sign him for some time, and the Gunners are in talks now to negotiate a deal for Merino.
Arsenal sporting director Edu has been in Spain this week to broker the deal and the Gunners are quite confident that they will be able to secure his signature.
While the La Liga club have offered him a contract extension, they are resigned to losing him. He has only 12 months remaining on his present deal, and the player’s representatives have made it clear that Merino wants to join Arsenal.
Earlier this week, Sociedad managed to keep hold of another midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, who was linked with a move to Liverpool.
Bolstering the midfield is a priority for Arteta this summer, and Merino will be an excellent signing. He is always looking to play out forward passes, can carry the ball forward and can operate as a box-to-box midfielder.
The Spaniard has made 242 appearances across all competitions for the Basque outfit, scoring 27 goals and making 30 assists.
Arsenal have already made two signings this summer. Riccardo Calafiori arrived from Bologna for £42 million, while the club secured the permanent signing of David Raya from Brentford.
The Gunners are highly unlikely to make any more signings this month, but there could be a few more departures. Eddie Nketiah could be allowed to leave the club to join AFC Bournemouth who are looking to replace Dominic Solanke.
