Barcelona midfield target not ruling out Premier League move amidst Arsenal’s interest | OneFootball

Barcelona’s interest in Mikel Merino is facing stiff competition from Arsenal, with Gabriel Sans reporting through Mundo Deportivo that Arsenal are ready to offer €30 million for Merino.

Interestingly, at this very moment, Merino has not ruled out a move to the Premier League.

It is said that Hansi Flick has made it clear that one of his top priorities is to strengthen the midfield.

Flick has communicated to the club’s sports management that a new signing is necessary and among the options considered, Merino stands out as the most suitable in terms of both price and quality. At 28, he fits well with the club’s economic and sporting needs.

There’s plenty of competition for Merino

Merino, who is under contract with Real Sociedad until 2025, is on standby for a potential transfer. His return to training is scheduled for August 5.

Despite various rumours and speculations, there has been no significant progress in negotiations with any of the interested clubs. Atletico de Madrid had shown interest, but their offer did not appeal to Merino.

Mikel Merino is wanted by Arsenal and Barcelona. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Besides Barcelona and Atletico, Merino has other options. One is a club from the Bundesliga, though its identity remains unknown. The other significant interest comes from the Premier League, with Arsenal being particularly keen.

Arteta wants to push for Merino

Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, is very interested in adding Merino to his squad and is willing to meet Real Sociedad’s asking price of €30 million without delays.

Interestingly, Merino has not dismissed the idea of playing in England, but he has yet to make a final decision. Both Arsenal and Barcelona can offer him the opportunity to play in the Champions League, which is an attractive prospect for any player.

However, joining Barcelona present certain challenges. If Barcelona were to make a formal offer, it would likely be structured with instalment payments rather than a lump sum.

Additionally, Barcelona might not be able to offer a significantly higher salary than what he currently earns at Real Sociedad or what Arsenal would provide.

Another hurdle for Barcelona is the registration process, which must be secured before any transfer can be finalized.

Despite these challenges, Merino is tempted by the idea of joining Barcelona. The allure of playing at Camp Nou and being part of a team with a rich history is significant. However, the complexities of the transfer mean that it is far from a straightforward decision.