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Transfers
£47m midfielder Arsenal wanted before Mikel Merino has barely played since rejecting Gunners to move elsewhere
Arsenal were pursuing a different midfielder before eventually bringing Mikel Merino to the Emirates Stadium.
Just before transfer deadline day, Arsenal sealed the £32.6m signing of Merino from Real S✃ociedad to bolster the central midfield department.
The Spain international – who played a key role in his nation’s UEFA Euro 2024 success – is unfortunately yet to make his debut. Merino sadly damaged his shoulder in his first training session at London Colney.
Arsenal are still unbeaten in the Premier League without the 28-year-old, at least.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 15 |
| 2 |  Man CityManchester City | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| 3 |  ArsenalArsenal | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 14 |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 13 |
However – before an agreement with Real Sociedad was found – there were several reports stating that Arsenal wanted to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham.
Joao Palhinha eventually sealed a move to Bayern Munich, although at this moment in time, he is probably thinking about what could have been, had he moved to nor🍰🎶th London instead.
Joao Palhinha struggling for minutes at Bayern Munich after rejecting Arsenal
The man from Lisbon c𝐆laimed it was “one of the happiest days”💎 of his life to join Bayern Munich, although we are unsure whether he still holds the same jubilant feelings.
Vincent Kompany has handed Palhinha – who Liverpool also looked at – just 126 minutes of action in the Bundesliga, with only on🥂e league star⛦t to his name, and two occasions where he was left on the bench completely.
It is a strange situation, as the 29-year-old arrived at Bayern Munich in July, so he had plenty of time to adjust to his new environment and tactical setup th🤪roughout pre-season.
Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar could still revisit a deal in 2025
If Palhinha’s situation in Bavaria does not improve, we would not be surprised to see Arsenal take another 𝓰look at him in 2025, given the current contract situation at the Emirates Stadium.
Thomas Parteyꦦ is expected to be released by Arsenal when his deal expires at the end of the season, while Jorginho also becomes a free agent in July 2025 – although the🐷 Gunners have an option to extend the Italy international’s contract by a further 12 months.
Both midfielders are still important players for Arteta, so even if one were to leave, we would presume Edu Gaspar will aim to sign a direct replacement, meanꦑing a move for Palhinha may not be dead and buried just yet.