Arsenal are keen to add to their squad this summer under Mikel Arteta and they have a brave idea to swoop for a Euro 2024 winner after being turned down by one of his Spanish teammates
Arsenal will offer Spain star Mikel Merino the ‘contract of a lifetime’ to tempt him back to the Premier League.
The Gunners are keen to add to their midfield options this summer. And they appear to see Real Sociedad star Merino as an ideal option. According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners are wiling to hand over a huge deal to convince him to move to the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal face competition for his services from Premier League rivals Aston Villa, with Unai Emery a fan of the tall midfielder.
Barcelona are also interested in the Spanish international. Merino, 28, has just a year remaining on his current contract with Sociedad and has a £56m release clause.
Merino joined the club from Newcastle in 2018. He has gone on to play 242 games, won the Copa del Rey in 2020 and has made 28 appearances for Spain. He appeared in every round of Euro 2024 and netted a crucial extra-time winner against Germany in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal will certainly hope that their move for Merino is more successful than their attempts to sign his Sociedad teammate Martin Zubimendi. The latter has regularly been linked with a move to the Emirates.
Arsenal were expected to renew their interest this summer amid their search for a new midfielder. But he now appears set to stay in San Sebastian.
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Reports in Spain previously suggested that he had rejected a move to North London. Zubimendi also gave his say on his future and admitted that he was not angling for a move any time soon.
“They are just rumours, I am happy at Real Sociedad, it is like my home,” he said. “I cannot say that I will play my entire career at Real Sociedad, perhaps the club won’t want me to continue in the future. But I do not concern myself with these rumours.”
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil was confident of Zubimendi’s loyalty in the future. Speaking last season, he said: “Martin Zubimendi wants to stay here and for sure he will stay with us at Real Sociedad next season. I have no doubts, he’s staying with us.”
While Arsenal are aiming to add to their midfield options this summer, they have already let one leave. Albert Sambi Lokonga has departed the club to join Spanish side Sevilla on a season-long loan. Emile Smith Rowe is also a candidate to depart amid interest from Fulham but the Gunners have rejected the Cottagers’ opening bid.
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The new shirt has returned the Gunners to their roots placing a stripped-down, elegant-looking canon right over the heart of the new shirt. Shirt manufacturers Adidas have produced a “clean and minimal” and the design “embraces modernity, while honouring Arsenal’s rich heritage.