Arsenal Transfer News Today: Merino LATEST, Zubimendi SURPRISE, Nketiah U-TURN?

Suraj Radia

Updated: 8 Aug 2024 16:58 BST
4 min read

The latest Arsenal football transfer news updates, with the hottest updates on all the potential new signings and sales at the Emirates Stadium, including Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Eddie Nketiah.

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Zubimendi was never Arsenal target

Arsenal were never in talks to sign Martin Zubimendi this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners could see their long-term target end up moving to rivals Liverpool after they opened talks with Real Sociedad over a transfer.

However, despite a long-standing interest and numerous efforts to sign the midfielder in the past two seasons, Arsenal appear to be allowing Liverpool a free run at Zubimendi.

The Sociedad midfielder has a release clause of €60 million and is thought to be open to a move to Anfield.

Current ETV

Martín Zubimendi

M, DM (C)

Real Sociedad

Martín Zubimendi

M, DM (C)

Real Sociedad

ETV Range

€28.9M - €48.2M

Merino left out of Sociedad squad

Part of Arsenal’s reasoning for allowing Zubimendi to pursue a move to Liverpool is due to Mikel Arteta’s side pushing for a deal for his Real Sociedad teammate in Mikel Merino.

A deal is thought to be edging closer for Merino after he was left out of Sociedad’s squad for their latest pre-season friendly, although Zubimendi was included.

Personal terms have been agreed with Merino, however talks continue with La Real over the structure and fee for the midfielder, who has 12 months remaining on his contract.

Current ETV

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

ETV Range

€15M - €25.1M

Gunners willing to negotiate over Nketiah

Arsenal are thought to be softening their stance on their demands for Eddie Nketiah after Marseille positioned themselves to move on from the England international.

The Ligue 1 side have seen multiple bids of around €30m rejected for Nketiah and this has caused them to pursue players such as Elye Wahi and Youssoufa Moukoko.

But the ball is now said to be in Marseille’s court, with Arsenal willing to budge on their €35m demands, with personal terms having already been agreed with the French side and Nketiah.

Current ETV

Eddie Nketiah

F (CL), AM (L)

Arsenal

Eddie Nketiah

F (CL), AM (L)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€10.8M - €18M

Arteta's 'pickpocket' stunt

Mikel Arteta’s intriguing managerial methods continue to be revealed after The Athletic gave an insight into the Arsenal manager’s curious stunt during a squad dinner.

As reported in The Athletic: “At a dinner with his players, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta secretly hired a team of professional pickpockets. The sleight-of-hand artists were tasked with going round the tables, pinching phones and wallets from an unwitting first-team squad.

“At the end of the meal, Arteta stood up and asked them the team to empty their pockets. A number of players were missing valuable items. The idea was to teach his squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared — at all times.”