BREAKING NEWS : Arsenal are now the frontrunners to sign a player earning £145k a week who is seeking Champions League football, according to a report.
Arsenal recently confirmed the addition of defender Riccardo Calafiori as their first outfield signing and are now pursuing Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.
The club has made a verbal offer of £25.4 million for the Spanish player and is increasingly confident about securing the deal. Merino has already agreed to personal terms with Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Arsenal is also leading the race to sign Adrien Rabiot, who is a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are also interested in Rabiot, who wants to play Champions League football in the upcoming season.
Arsenal is unlikely to sign both Rabiot and Merino.
The Gunners are close to finalizing an agreement with Sociedad for Merino. The Spaniard, a left-footed central midfielder, could compete with Kai Havertz for a spot.
Merino may not be the best dribbler, but he excels defensively. Last season, the 28-year-old averaged 10.2 duels per La Liga match.
He also made 6.2 recoveries per game, along with 2.4 tackles and 1.7 clearances. In the attacking third, Merino contributed eight goals and five assists across all competitions.
In our opinion, pursuing Rabiot seems unnecessary given the progress on Merino.
Both players are experienced left-footed central midfielders, but Merino has performed better.
Rabiot, who earned £145,000 per week at Juventus, contributed to only eight goals last season. He averaged 5.7 duels, 4.8 recoveries, 1.9 tackles, and 0.9 clearances per match.
The rumors might be fueled by his mother and agent to secure a lucrative contract.
Arsenal might offer Merino a £100,000 per week deal, an increase from his current £52,000 weekly salary.
This won’t apply to Rabiot, who could demand over £200,000 per week plus a substantial signing bonus as a free agent. We don’t see this deal happening.