- 7 hours ago
Mikel Merino to Arsenal: Fabrizio Romano drops ‘formal bid’ BOMBSHELL
Robin Bairner
- 7 Aug 2024 11:00 BST
- 3 min read
Mikel Merino’s move to Arsenal from Real Sociedad has stalled, with Fabrizio Romano, the football transfer news reporter, having explained exactly what the delay is.
Merino’s switch to the Gunners appeared to be a mere formality just a week ago, but there has been little progress in recent days, leading to some anxiety among fans of the Emirates side who are eager to see the Spain Euro 2024 star sign.
It has been a slow transfer window at Arsenal, with Riccardo Calafiori’s move from Bologna meaning that he is the only new face at the club. That also slowed down towards its completion and a similar pattern is being followed by Merino.
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Current ETV
Mikel Merino
M (C)
Real Sociedad
Mikel Merino
M (C)
Real Sociedad
ETV Range
€15M - €25.1M
Romano has now revealed that Arsenal have not even made a formal approach for the Spain international star yet.
“For now my understanding is that negotiations continue, it’s still all verbal with no formal bid but for sure Merino is waiting for Arsenal to complete the agreement with Real Sociedad,” Romano says.
“It’s also about payment terms, the structure, more things to follow between the two clubs. Merino wants Arsenal, so it’s just on the clubs now.”
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No reason to fear Merino deal collapse
FootballTransfers understands that only minor details are being addressed in the talks between Arsenal and Real Sociedad, with no major problem that is likely to see Merino’s move to the Emirates break down.
Indeed, the 28-year-old, who has an Expected Transfer Value (ETV) of €20.1 million, has already agreed personal terms with the club.
Merino’s transfer is expected to be sealed at a price around the €30m mark, with the Spaniard set to take Arsenal’s total summer transfer spend to €105m, including the permanent signing of David Raya.
Arteta, meanwhile, is still chasing a centre-forward, with Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP among the names being linked with a move to the club.
Once Merino’s signing is completed, Arsenal’s next step will be to focus on a deal in attack.
