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Transfers
Fabrizio Romano says ‘world-class’ player only wants to join Arsenal
Arsenal are such an attractive club for top players.
The Gunners went through a terrible period following Arsene Wenger’s departure. The time under Unai Emery was a disaster, while Mikel Arteta’s first few years weren’t easy either.
However, over the last two seasons, Arsenal have been among the best clubs in the world, and almost every top player would jump at the chance of joining Arteta’s project.
Riccardo Calafiori picked Arsenal over Real Madrid, and now, another top player has decided that he only wants to join the Gunners this summer.
What Mikel Merino has done as Arsenal close in on transfer
It is no secret at this point that Arsenal are trying to sign Mikel Merino.
The Gunners are a bit light in the middle of the park after allowing Mohamed Elneny and Emile Smith Rowe to leave. Albert Sambi Lokonga has also been loaned out, while Thomas Partey’s injuries make him unreliable.
A new midfielder was always a priority for Arsenal, and Arteta has decided that the ‘‘ Merino is the right man to bolster the middle of his park.
Fabrizio Romano claimed a few days ago that Arsenal are ‘really, really close’ to signing Merino, and the journalist has now shared another update.
He has revealed that Merino is desperate to join the Gunners, so much so that he has stopped all negotiations with other interested clubs like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
That shows serious commitment, and we expect this deal to go through in the coming days.
Romano said in a video on his : “Arsenal remain really confident to close the Mikel Merino deal in the next days because Arsenal, as we already said earlier this week, have an agreement close with Real Sociedad on the package for Mikel Merino, something around €30 million.
“(They are) still discussing the structure of the deal, the payment terms, so there are still some things to clarify, but we already said and I can confirm that Arsenal are closing in on this deal for Mikel Merino. There is still some job to do in terms of final stages but progressing very well.
“The expectation is to get the deal done because the player said yes to Arsenal. He’s no longer negotiating with Spanish clubs. He had possibilities with Atletico Madrid, he had possibilities with Barcelona, but he wants to go to the Premier League and he wants to go to Arsenal.
“He wants to work under Mikel Arteta, who is being really influential in the market for Arsenal. He was pushing a lot for the signing of Riccardo Calafiori and now, the same also for Mikel Merino. So let’s wait for Arsenal and Real Sociedad to close the deal, but it’s really, really at the final stages, advancing very well to get it done.
“The contract is ready, so Mikel Merino is expected to become the next signing for Arsenal after Riccardo Calafiori and obviously David Raya, who joined on a permanent transfer as expected from Brentford.”
Who could Arsenal sign after Merino?
Arsenal went into the market with a new left-back and midfielder as their top priorities. Calafiori and Merino solve those issues.
The two other positions Arteta could address in the coming weeks are a striker and winger.
Arsenal have reportedly agreed to pay what Napoli want for Victor Osimhen, but the Nigeria international striker has agreed personal terms with PSG. He could still be an option for the Gunners.
Dominic Solanke has also emerged as a target for Arsenal, but fellow Premier League side Tottenham are also interested in him.
As for wide players, Wolves star Pedro Neto has been heavily linked with Arsenal. Reports have also claimed that Arsenal are interested in Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace.
There is a chance Arsenal will sign at least one of the above names before the window shuts.