EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal in pole position to sign Mikel Merino

Steve Kay

Updated: 24 Jul 2024 12:39 CDT
4 min read

Arsenal are currently the favourites to land Mikel Merino's signature, FootballTransfers understands.

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Sources with knowledge of the situation have informed us that the Gunners are at the front of the queue for the Real Sociedad midfielder and that talks are ongoing behind the scenes.

Negotiations have yet to reach an advanced stage between Arsenal and the Basque LaLiga side as no transfer fee has thus far been agreed upon. Personal terms are, for the most part, not expected to be an issue with Merino.

One potential sticking point could be the length of his contract, with the player having a different idea from both Arsenal and his current employers. The 28-year-old wants his next contract to run for five years.

However, Arsenal intend to only offer the player a three-year deal with a one-year option, while Real Sociedad are also unwilling to commit to half a decade should Merino surprisingly indicate a preference for remaining in San Sebastian.

Despite this minor detail, we hear that the player is keen on a move to the Emirates and that Arsenal are in pole position to secure his signing, with other suitors yet to firm up their interest.

Barcelona, Chelsea admirers

The former Newcastle midfielder has been a star for his LaLiga side and also contributed decisively to Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, scoring the goal that downed hosts Germany in the 119th minute of their quarter-final clash.

The fact that Merino only has a year left on his current contract with Real Sociedad means that he is an attractive option for clubs around Europe as he is not expected to cost a fortune.

However, we are told that reports about Barcelona's interest in the Spaniard are exaggerated. Although they admire the player, they have no plans to sign him in this transfer window.

The main reason behind this, we hear, is that they believe Merino prefers a move to Arsenal if he indeed decides to leave Real Sociedad.

As for Chelsea, we can confirm reports from Spain that they like the player as a potential replacement for Conor Gallagher, who continues to be linked with Atletico Madrid and, like Merino, is out of contract next summer.

That said, the assertion that the European champion is on the verge of signing for Chelsea is not true, we understand.