MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 11:04:36| >> :120:53693:53693:

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'receive boost' in Mikel Merino pursuit

Arsenal 'close in' on Merino signing
© Reuters
Arsenal reportedly receive a boost in their quest to sign Spain international Mikel Merino from La Liga side Real Sociedad.

Arsenal have reportedly received a boost in their pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.

The Gunners have made it one of their priorities to sign a new midfielder this summer despite recruiting Declan Rice in a club-record deal last summer.

Arsenal have already seen Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga depart, while Emile Smith Rowe is on the verge of completing a move to fellow London club Fulham.

With space opening up in the midfield department, Arsenal have been linked with a number of names, including Douglas Luiz, Amadou Onana and Martin Zubimendi.

However, Zubimendi's Real Sociedad teammate Merino has seemingly emerged as Arsenal's priority target, with the Gunners on the verge of reaching an agreement with the Basque side.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured in May 2024© Imago

Arsenal receive boost in Merino pursuit

The Gunners have now received a boost in their quest to bring the former Newcastle United man back to the Premier League.

As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, Real Sociedad have completed the signing of Croatian midfielder Luka Sucic from Red Bull Salzburg.

Real Sociedad have agreed a €10m (£8.5m) transfer with the Austrian side, who have included a 10% sell-on clause in the deal.

Sucic has completed his medical with Real Sociedad and will sign a long-term contract to keep at the club until June 2029.

Romano previously suggested that Real Sociedad had identified Sucic as a replacement for Merino, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract.

Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino with Ander Barrenetxea on February 14, 2024© Reuters

Sucic to facilitate Merino move

With Sucic set to bolster Imanol Alguacil's midfield options, it appears to be only a matter of time before Merino leaves the Reale Arena for the Emirates Stadium.

The two clubs simply have to reach a final agreement over a fee, before Merino can be unveiled as a new member of Mikel Arteta's squad.

Merino, who was part of Spain's Euro 2024 winning squad, is seemingly poised to leave Real Sociedad six years after arriving from an underwhelming spell with Newcastle.

The midfielder has since gone on to make 242 competitive appearances for La Real, contributing 27 goals and 30 assists as well as helping the club win the Copa del Rey in 2019-20.

If he does return to the Premier League, Merino will likely be utilised in a midfield trio with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

ID:549500:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5422:

Click here for more stories about Mikel Merino

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on April 23, 2024
Read Next:
The Mikel's club: Arsenal 'closing in' on £25.3m signing
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!