August 20th 2024.
At the Euro 2024, all eyes were on Mikel Merino as he shone for the Spanish team. His exceptional performance caught the attention of top clubs, with Arsenal being one of them. Talks have been ongoing between Real Sociedad and Arsenal for the talented midfielder's transfer. It's no secret that Merino has his heart set on joining the Gunners and playing at the Emirates Stadium. However, Real Sociedad's president has made it clear that they will not be pushed around or forced into a deal.
This summer, Arsenal has been relatively quiet in the transfer market, but their interest in Merino is no secret. The Spanish international's contract is set to expire next year, and the Gunners are eager to secure his services before the transfer window closes. Real Sociedad has already rejected an offer of around €25m from Arsenal, as they are holding out for a fee closer to €35m for the 28-year-old. Merino, who has previously played for Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund, has also expressed his desire to leave for Arsenal. This is evident as he was left out of Real Sociedad's opening La Liga game of the season.
Real Sociedad's president, Jokin Aperribay, spoke about the ongoing negotiations in an interview with radio station Onda Vasca. He revealed that Merino had made it clear that he did not want to renew his contract and then leave shortly after. Aperribay also expressed his disappointment in the fact that Arsenal had shown up as one of the teams that they had hoped to avoid. However, he reassured that Real Sociedad will do what is best for the club and will only accept an offer that they deem suitable. He also mentioned that Merino's wishes were taken into consideration when he was excluded from the squad for their game against Rayo Vallecano.
Merino has been a crucial player for Real Sociedad since joining in 2018, making over 200 appearances for the club. It seems that both parties are close to reaching an agreement, with the difference in valuations not being too significant, and Merino has made his intentions clear.
Real Sociedad's manager, Imanol Alguacil, was asked about the futures of Merino and Martin Zubimendi before their game against Rayo Vallecano. He stated that both players are still a part of the team, with one not being included in the squad and the other being on the bench. Alguacil emphasized that they still belong to Real Sociedad and that they will continue to be with the team until a decision is made. He also mentioned that the team's focus is on winning the game, and the future of the players will be dealt with later on.
As negotiations continue, fans are eagerly waiting to see if Arsenal will secure the signing of Mikel Merino. Both clubs seem to be in agreement, and it's only a matter of time before an official announcement is made. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad and their manager are focused on their upcoming games, with the squad they currently have.
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