Arsenal are in advanced talks with Real Sociedad over the signing of Spain’s Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino, talkSPORT understands.
Merino is keen to join the Gunners and there is optimism on both sides a deal can be struck for the £30million-rated former Newcastle midfielder.
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talkSPORT reported earlier this month how the north London giants entered negotiations with the Spanish side.
And Arsenal were boosted in their pursuit of the 28-year-old after he turned down a new contract offer from Sociedad.
With his deal at the Reale Arena to expire next summer, the LaLiga outfit know now is the time to cash in on the player.
The midfielder enjoyed his best season last term – chipping in with eight goals and five assists in all competitions.
And he carried his fine form into the European Championship where he played a key role in helping Spain lift the trophy for a record fourth time.
Merino, who spent the 2017/18 season at Newcastle, featured in all seven of Spain’s matches.
He even scored the winning goal against host nation Germany in the quarter-final in a thrilling 2-1 extra-time victory.
Should he make the move to the Emirates, it would see Arsenal fork out almost £100million on three players this summer.
Arsenal signed goalkeeper David Raya – Merino’s teammate on the international stage – for £27m after turning his loan spell from Brentford into a permanent stay.
And then they sealed a £38million deal to bring in versatile defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
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Should Arsenal secure the services of Merino, he could play alongside Declan Rice and skipper Martin Odegaard as part of a midfield three.
Arsenal Invincible Ray Parlour has already given his seal of approval over his former employers’ quest to nab the player.
The talkSPORT pundit said: “Merino, he’s a top player, he’s played well for Spain and Real Sociedad.
“He’s a good age at 28, it’s perfect, he should be in his prime at that sort of time.
“And Arsenal have said, ‘at £25m [£30m], it’s a decent deal.’
“I think they have a good relationship with Real Sociedad anyway with [Kieran] Tierney going there on loan.”
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