Arsenal remain locked in talks to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad ahead of the transfer deadline.
The Gunners are looking to make the Spanish midfielder their second signing of the summer after already snapping up Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
David Ornstein revealed yesterday that Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of Merino, with Edu traveling to Spain earlier this week to thrash out a deal.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has delivered another positive update as the transfer saga edges closer to reaching a conclusion.
Fabrizio Romano says Mikel Merino is confident about securing Arsenal move
Romano has confirmed that Merino has agreed contract terms with Arsenal and wants to play for Mikel Arteta, adding that the Gunners have been in contact with Real Sociedad for three weeks to work out a deal.
“Arsenal are talking to Real Sociedad to find a solution. He has just a few months left on his contract and is not signing a new deal as of today,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.
“But Merino wants to play for Mikel Arteta and has agreed contract terms with Arsenal. The clubs are in constant contact for three weeks and there is a feeling that Mikel Merino is really confident of becoming an Arsenal player in the final two weeks.”
What Mikel Merino would bring to Arsenal
Standing at 188 cm (6ft 1) tall, Merino would add some much-needed physicality to Arsenal‘s midfield and his presence would bring the best out of Martin Odegaard‘s creativity and Declan Rice‘s box-to-box ability.
No player has won more duels across Europe’s top-five leagues than Merino (1663) since his Real Sociedad debut in 2018, making him a fantastic stylistic fit to complement the Gunners’ pre-existing midfield options.
With Merino entering the final year of his contract and not looking likely to sign an extension, Arsenal could be set to nab a bargain if they complete his signing before the transfer deadline.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Adrien Rabiot as an alternative to Merino, but the Gunners will wait to see what happens with the Spaniard before moving on to a Plan B.