A player who Mikel Arteta would personally like to sign for Arsenal this summer has now hinted that he could leave his club.
Right now, it seems as if the majority of Arsenal’s funds will be directed towards signing Arteta a new central midfielder.
Earlier this month, RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko was dominating Arsenal transfer talk, a player with a rather attractive release clause.
However, the striker’s new contract with the Bundesliga club has ended any hope of a departure this summer, even if Arsenal retain long-term interest in Sesko.
Interestingly, it seems that Edu may now focus on several other positions, rather than swivelling to another striker on the shortlist.
Sesko was seen as a market opportunity, rather than an essential addition.
And with that in mind, Arsenal’s priority signing would now appear to be a midfielder to complement Declan Rice.
As a result, it’s now emerged that Arsenal would be keen to sign Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino.
Mikel Merino hints at Real Sociedad exit after strong Arsenal links
Arteta is said to be a real fan of the 28-year-old, explaining why Barcelona now fear that Arsenal could beat them to Merino.
Currently at Euro 2024 with Spain, £21m-rated Merino can solve a number of central midfield roles, the exact profile Arteta would like to add.
That being said, Merino has now been discussing his future with Sport 45 in Spain.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United midfielder was respectful towards his current employers, but hinted that a new ‘adventure’ could be tempting.
Merino said: “The next step has to come from within, from me, from analysing myself, seeing what player I am now, where I am and where I want to go.
“Now at a football level I still have one more year at Real and I am in the best possible place to live and grow.
“At the rumours [of leaving], it is something that I do not give importance to because I believe that a Euro 204 is the most important thing you can face and requires 100 percent of your attention.
“So when the Euro is over and the days go by, I will meet with the club and my representative, to see what they have to say to me and what they don’t, and we’ll see.”
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He continued: “Throughout my career I have always made it clear in every interview that I am an adventurer, that I do not know where football will take me and that I am willing to go on an adventure wherever I have to.
“I did it by going to Dortmund, Newcastle, and coming to Donosti for the adventure.
“You never know where football can take you, and I am willing to follow my career wherever my heart and my head want me to.”
Martin Zubimendi is still the better choice for Arsenal
Of course, Merino shares a midfield with Martin Zubimendi at Real Sociedad.
Arsenal have long been linked with Zubimendi, who does seem a little hesitant to leave his boyhood club.
Perhaps Merino is therefore being seen as an alternative signing, someone who is perhaps more likely to leave judging by his comments.
But if Arsenal desire a number six who can truly enhance their midfield alongside Rice, then Zubimendi is still the signing.
Aside from midfield talk, German media have now been reacting to Kai Havertz performance vs Switzerland on Sunday.