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Transfers

Club president suggests he doesn’t want his £40m player to join Arsenal this summer

A club president has indicated that he doesn’t want his £40m player to join Arsenal this summer transfer window.

Arsenal have now completed the signing of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori and now attention has turned towards other targets.

Newcastle United’s Martin Dubravka is a player believed to be of interest and they’re also keen on a midfielder.

With that said, one of the players on their midfielder shortlist has received offers.

Real Sociedad president suggests he doesn’t want Mikel Merino to join Arsenal

Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, with Mikel Arteta even personally phoning him to convince him to join.

Now, Sociedad’s president Jokin Aperribay has just indicated that he doesn’t want Merino to join the North Londoners this summer.

Speaking to the Spanish press, via , Aperribay said: “I think Mikel has been very sincere with Real. He has had a renewal offer for a year and if he has not renewed it, it is because he did not want to tell the Real fans that he is staying and then leave, and I think that speaks well of him.

“I would like him not to leave, we would all like that, but if he tells us that he accepts any of the offers he has on the table and wants us to negotiate, we will do so.

“We know he has them, and we know their details. But at this moment we continue to hope that Mikel Merino will continue at Real.”

Mikel Merino price tag

Merino, who has one year remaining on his contract at Sociedad, has a fluctuating valuation in the media, with some reports suggesting he could cost suitors as much as £40m.

Others note that £25m may be enough to strike an agreement with the La Liga club, who certainly aren’t in the greatest negotiating position.

In other news, Mikel Arteta shares whether Kai Havertz will be Arsenal’s striker this season.