July 22nd 2024.
Arteta is a big fan of Mikel Merino, the talented midfielder who has caught the attention of Arsenal. However, it seems that the Gunners will have to fight off competition from Barcelona to secure his signature. According to reports, Merino would prefer to stay in Spain, but Arteta is determined to bring him to the Emirates.
The Arsenal manager is looking to strengthen his midfield options this summer, and Merino is at the top of his list. While the Gunners usually target young players, Arteta is so impressed by the 28-year-old Real Sociedad star's abilities and physicality that he is willing to make an exception in this case. Merino, who scored the dramatic winner for Spain against Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, is currently on a well-deserved break after the tournament.
However, his future remains uncertain as he has entered the final year of his contract with San Sebastian and has attracted interest from Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Barcelona. With just one year left on his deal, Merino has a release clause of €60million, making him a hot commodity in the transfer market. The midfielder is currently considering his options, but it seems that he would prefer to stay in La Liga rather than move to the Premier League.
While Arsenal certainly have the financial resources to make the deal happen, reports suggest that Merino is most drawn to the project at Barcelona. The Catalan club is also eyeing up his Spain teammates Dani Olmo and Nico Williams, but their financial struggles may make it difficult for them to secure all of their top targets this summer. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid is also interested in signing Merino, but it seems that he is not sold on their plans at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are hoping to finalize their first transfer of the summer this week. They are reportedly close to securing a deal for Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori, with the 22-year-old being left out of the club's pre-season camp. The Gunners are believed to be willing to pay €50million for the Italian, who is seen as a key addition to their squad.
Overall, it seems that Arsenal will have to put up a strong fight to convince Merino to join them, especially with competition from Barcelona. But Arteta's admiration for the midfielder may just give them the edge they need to secure his services. As for Calafiori, it looks like he could soon be donning the red and white of Arsenal, as they continue to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
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