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Arsenal are interested in Mikel Merino, but I’m not aware that things have moved beyond the interest stage yet.
He is a player they appreciate, but it’s been difficult to progress things while Merino has been away with Spain at the Euros.
Now the tournament is over of course, the opportunity to firm up that interest and try and get a deal done for the midfielder is there, but I’ve not been told that things have reached that stage yet.
Midfield is an area Arsenal are looking to strengthen this summer, with Merino’s Spanish international team-mate Martin Zubimendi another player the club admires. Both players have impressed in glimpses during the Euros, even though neither were regular starters.
Merino could be a more appealing option than Zubimendi because he would cost far less than the 25-year-old. He only has a year left on his contract with Real Sociedad and it’s understood that the La Liga side would be willing to accept an offer for the midfielder this summer rather than risk losing him on a free.
Merino has just turned 28, so he is a bit older than the type of player that Arsenal usually go for under Mikel Arteta and Edu, but they have shown with Leandro Trossard and Jorginho that they will add older players should they believe the deal is worth doing.
And Merino does tick a lot of the boxes in terms of what Arsenal are looking for a new midfielder.
He can play as a No.6, but he can also play in a more advanced box to box type role. So he would bring the versatility that Arteta demands from any player that he signs.
It is a potential deal to keep an eye on this summer when it comes to Arsenal, but it must be noted that there are some top clubs in Spain who are also mulling over a move for the Euro 2024 winner.
Desire Doue is a player who has been generating plenty of headlines this summer. The talented young Frenchman has been linked with a whole host of clubs, including Arsenal, with the expectation that he will get a big money move away from Rennes before the window shuts.
He does look like a really exciting talent, so it’s no surprise to see so many big clubs being linked with an interest in the 19-year-old.
I’m constantly getting questions from Arsenal fans asking whether the club are…
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