Exclusive: Arsenal is leading the race to sign Mikel Merino.
Arsenal are currently considered the leading contenders to secure Mikel Merino’s signature, according to FootballTransfers.
Negotiations between Arsenal and the Basque LaLiga club have not progressed significantly, as no transfer fee has been agreed upon yet. However, personal terms with Merino are largely not expected to be an issue.
A potential point of contention could be the length of the contract. The 28-year-old midfielder desires a five-year deal, while Arsenal is proposing a three-year contract with an additional one-year option. Real Sociedad is also hesitant to commit to a five-year contract if Merino chooses to remain in San Sebastian.
Despite this minor hurdle, it is reported that Merino is keen on a move to the Emirates, and Arsenal is in a strong position to sign him, with other interested clubs yet to solidify their interest.
Merino, a former Newcastle midfielder, has excelled for his LaLiga team and played a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory, scoring the decisive goal against Germany in the quarter-final.
With only a year left on his contract at Real Sociedad, Merino is an appealing target for European clubs, as his transfer fee is expected to be reasonable.
Reports of Barcelona’s interest in Merino are believed to be overstated. While they admire him, they do not plan to sign him this transfer window, as they think he prefers a move to Arsenal if he leaves Real Sociedad.
Chelsea is reportedly considering Merino as a potential replacement for Conor Gallagher, who is linked with Atletico Madrid and also out of contract next summer. Nonetheless, reports suggesting that Merino is close to signing with Chelsea are not accurate, according to sources.