Doubt cast over £25m Arsenal transfer after training ground return | OneFootball

Mikel Merino has returned to Real Sociedad after his post-Euro 2024 holiday, despite talk linking him with a summer transfer to Arsenal.

Mikel Merino (L) back with Real Sociedad after his Euro 2024 holiday (Photo via Real Sociedad on Twitter)

Despite plenty of rumours linking Arsenal with a summer move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, the 28-year-old has now returned to the La Liga club following his post-Euros holiday.

Merino was on an extended break following Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign, and some believed he would link up with Arsenal as soon as his holidays were done. But any deal to sign him evidently isn’t that advanced.

The one positive for any Arsenal fan hoping for a transfer is that Merino appeared to be accompanied by his representatives, so it’s likely he’s holding talks with the club over his future.

VILLARREAL, SPAIN: Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad celebrates scoring their team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Villarreal CF and Real Sociedad at Estadio de la Ceramica on December 09, 2023. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Noticias de Gipuzkoa had confirmed that Merino was set to return to training with Real Sociedad (before he actually arrived at the training ground on Monday), and they added that he’ll have to decide his future in the next few days.

Merino’s return to Sociedad is consistent with a report from Kaya Kaynak of Football.London on Sunday, with the reporter claiming the Gunners are indeed interested in the midfielder, but a move isn’t particularly advanced just yet.

According to Kaynak, Arsenal have made contact with Merino’s representatives, but contrary to other sources he writes that they haven’t made a verbal bid and a deal isn’t necessarily close.

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid CF at Reale Arena on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Whatever the situation to this point, Merino’s return to Sociedad should accelerate talks over his future now. Whether that leads to a U-turn to stay in Spain or it leads to a transfer to Arsenal, we should have an answer either way before long.