Matteo Moretto Transfer Column: Dani Olmo, Mikel Merino, Alphonso Davies and Trent Alexander-Arnold | OneFootball

Matteo Moretto gives Football España exclusive information on the latest deals dominating the papers in Spain, as revealed in Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing.

Arsenal leading race for Mikel Merino following fresh contacts

As has often been said, Mikel Merino wants to choose carefully which path to take. Real Sociedad consider him a lost cause, they will not try to retain him any longer, and at the moment the boy does not want to rush to say yes to an offer knowing that perhaps others may arrive in the coming days. He wants to have everything clear on the table before he makes the call.

Atletico Madrid at the moment are a bit pessimistic about it, after their failed attempt to get include him in a double-deal for Robin Le Normand. Barcelona have told him that they are currently focused on other matters, while Arsenal can now move for him after completing the purchase of Riccardo Calafiori. Manager Mikel Arteta holds Merino in particularly high regard, it should be noted.

Dani Olmo future will only become clear after Nico Williams decision is explained

RB Leipzig attacker Dani Olmo would go to Barcelona if he could choose. But Barcelona are currently working on Nico Williams, although at the same time it is also in contact with Olmo’s agents.

I think that first we have to understand what Nico’s future is, whether he wants to go to Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, or decides to stay at Athletic Club, and then we can understand Barca’s intentions with Olmo. Nico and Olmo are two options that Barcelona are working on in parallel and both of them are serious pursuits, but the priority currently is Nico Williams. After Nico’s future is resolved one way or another, the Olmo matter will be dealt with.

Real Madrid working on deals for 2025 summer with one more exit possible

At the moment, Real Madrid are quietly working on some contract renewals, such as Ferland Mendy and on some players whose contracts are expiring in the summer of 2025 and who could also arrive for free in a year. The two most famous examples being Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies Davies and Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

In terms of departures, I wouldn’t expect to see much from Real Madrid in the next month either. The one perhaps outstanding issue is Dani Ceballos, who as we reported earlier in the summer is open to leaving in search of more minutes. Yet with Real Madrid reluctant to let him go on the cheap, I think we will only gain a better understanding of how it will play out in mid-August, after the European Supercup against Atalanta.

Matteo Moretto will be back with more transfer news in the coming days, providing exclusive information on the biggest stories in Spain and Italy.