Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has contacted Mikel Merino as he looks to incorporate the Barcelona midfield target into his team.
Arsenal are keen on reinforcing their squad after once again falling just short in the Premier League title race. Mikel Arteta wants to add more quality to his ranks, and he is interested in having Mikel Merino in his team. According to a report from SPORT, the Spanish manager has reached out to the Spanish international as he plans to bring him back to the Premier League.
Merino joined Real Sociedad back in the summer of 2018, and he has gone from strength to strength since arriving at the club. The 28-year-old has been one of the mainstays over the past few seasons. In the 2023/24 campaign, the left-footed midfielder was involved in 45 games and he even contributed towards 13 goals (8 goals, 5 assists).
He has been a regular feature in the Spanish team in recent years and is currently fighting it out for them at Euro 2024. While the player is focused on the task at hand, there has been a lot of talk about his future at Real Sociedad. His contract there runs out in 12 months and at this point in time, Merino does not really seem interested in penning down a new deal.
Barcelona’s interest in Merino
People close to the club are begging to assume that he will most likely leave the club this summer. A potential transfer could be completed for around €25 million. Barcelona are one of the clubs that have been monitoring him for a long while.
Deco is a big admirer of the 28-year-old and feels he could help strengthen their midfield. While they are keen on signing him, the Catalan giants cannot make a move at this stage. Their finances are not in check and they will have to balance their books before advancing.
Arsenal step up interest in Sociedad star
While Barcelona are unable to make a move, Mikel Arteta’s team have started working towards a potential transfer. The Spanish manager is a big admirer of the midfielder and wants to incorporate him into his team. He has directly reached out to Merino to convey the plans he has for him.
The Spanish international is aware of Barcelona’s interest, but he seems interested in making a return to the Premier League. He is seduced by the possibility of playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. He feels a move to Arsenal could be a step forward in his career.
