Arsenal in talks with Sociedad over midfielder Merino

Arsenal are in talks with Real Sociedad about signing Spain midfielder Mikel Merino.

Merino was part of the Spain team that won Euro 2024 and featured in all seven matches in the tournament, scoring a late winner against Germany in the quarter-final.

The 28-year-old has less than one year remaining on his contract which may help Arsenal to complete a deal, as he would be able to speak to clubs about signing on a free transfer in January.

Merino's team-mate Martin Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool earlier this week after La Liga side Sociedad were able to persuade the player to stay.

If Merino joins Arsenal, the 6ft 2in tall central midfielder would be another imposing presence at set pieces for the Gunners, who signed Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori earlier this summer.

The Spaniard can operate as a deeper-lying midfielder and it is thought he would complement Declan Rice who played a 'box-to-box' role at times last season.

He would also provide Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta with another option to compete with Rice, Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard in the middle of the pitch.

Merino has previous experience of the Premier League, having spent a year at Newcastle before moving to Spain in 2018, while he played alongside Odegaard in 2019-20 when the Norwegian was on loan at Sociedad from Real Madrid.

Merino made 45 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring eight goals.

Arsenal have been active in this transfer market with both incomings and outgoings, selling Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham in a deal that could rise to £34m and signing Calafiori for a fee in the region of £42m.

The future of striker Eddie Nketiah also remains uncertain. Marseille were interested in the 25-year-old but no move has materialised, while he is also being monitored by Bournemouth and Crystal Palace - although no bids have been made.

Source: BBC