Arsenal ramp up Mikel Merino transfer bid as Edu travels to seal deal

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Evening Standard

·15 August 2024

Arsenal ramp up Mikel Merino transfer bid as Edu travels to seal deal

The Gunners are hoping to strike a deal with Real Sociedad for the Spain midfielder worth much less than his current release clause

Arsenal have stepped up their attempts to sign Spain midfielder Mikel Merino by making contact with Real Sociedad.

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Merino is keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium and Sociedad are open to selling a player in the final year of his contract.

The 28-year-old has a £55.7million release clause in his current deal at Anoeta, but reports in Spain claim a deal could be done for around £25m to £30m.

Arsenal want to sign a midfielder before the transfer window closes on August 30 and sporting director Edu is said to have been in Spain this week to seal a deal for Merino.

The Gunners interest in Merino dates back to before he caught the eye at Euro 2024. Merino was part of the Spain squad that beat England in the final and he featured in all seven of their matches, scoring a last-gasp extra-time winner in the quarter-final victory over hosts Germany.

Sociedad have tried to persuade Merino to stay and a new contract is on the table for him, but he looks set to leave.

Merino is older than most of Arsenal’s typical signings, but he would bring experience and physicality to their midfield.

Top target: Arsenal want to sign Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Mikel Merino this month

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He also knows captain Martin Odegaard after playing with him during the 2019/20 season when the Norwegian was on loan at Sociedad from Real Madrid.

Nketiah has slipped down the pecking order at Arsenal and has not started a competitive game since New Year’s Eve.

Bournemouth want to sign a new striker after selling Dominic Solanke to Tottenham for £65m. It is understood their search is narrowing down to two main targets - Nketiah and Porto striker Evanilson.

Bournemouth held further talks with Porto on Wednesday over a move for Evanilson, who scored 25 goals in all competitions last season.

Marseille showed an interest in Nketiah earlier this summer, but are now thought to be looking at other targets after signing French forward Elye Wahi from Lens.