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Summary
- Arsenal edge closer to agreeing a deal with Real Sociedad for Mikel Merino
- Real Sociedad president hints Mikel Merino future amid Arsenal links
- Arsenal confirm exit of teenage sensation Chido Obi-Martin
- Arsenal reach agreement on personal terms with Mikel Merino
- Nottingham Forest interested in signing Aaron Ramsdale on loan
- Arsenal announce the signing of Italy international Riccardo Calafiori
- Fulham reach agreement with Arsenal for Emile Smith Rowe transfer
- Emile Smith Rowe undergoes Fulham MEDICAL move imminent!
- Nottingham Forest keen on loan move for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
- Arsenal agree personal terms with Euro 2024 star Mikel Merino
- Arsenal ready to launch bid for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino
- Arsenal plotting player-plus-cash deal including Nketiah to bait Guehi
- Arsenal remain interested in Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal edge closer to agreeing a deal with Real Sociedad for Mikel Merino
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Mikel Merino has given the green light to Arsenal, and the club has begun official discussions with Real Sociedad to capture their star midfielder.
Speaking on his Youtube channel, Romano said: “The news of the day is that Arsenal are close to signing Mikel Merino. Agreement (reached) with the player and negotiations are now underway between Arsenal and Real Sociedad.
“Real Sociedad also prefer to sell the player abroad – so, not in Spain, in England would be better. The player is tempted by working under Mikel Arteta. Now, they need to finalise the agreement.
“At the moment, everything is verbal, it’s a verbal conversation between Arsenal and Real Sociedad, waiting to make it formal. So, we are not saying that is happening tonight and then tomorrow there will be a medical test – we are not at that stage.
“But, we are saying that Arsenal are really getting closer to reaching an agreement for a package worth more than €30 million for Mikel Merino, and he would be a really important signing for Arsenal. It’s not done yet, but it is in progress and is at important stages.”
Real Sociedad president hints Mikel Merino future amid Arsenal links
EFEThe Gunners have been linked with Mikel Merino for a while now, but no formal offer has been made for the 28-year-old. With his Real Sociedad contract coming to an end, other noticeable clubs like Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have piqued interest in signing him.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has confirmed that he is “aware” Merino has received offers, but insists that the club will not allow him to leave without a struggle.
“We are not in any conversation with any club to get any player to leave,” Aperribay said.
“We knew that the summer was going to be long and that is how it is going to be, we are going to manage [it] during August. We will try to make the team come out stronger. I think that Merino has been honest with Real Sociedad during the last year, if he has not renewed it is because he did not want to tell the fans: ‘I’m staying’ – and then leave. I would like him not to leave.
“If he tells us that he likes any of the offers he has on the table, we will see. We are not negotiating with any club now. We are aware that Merino has offers, and we know them. The conversation with him and those around him has been very sincere and hopefully, his decision is to stay, he already knows that we want him to stay. He has had a renewal offer for some time. And if not, we will try to negotiate the best way out for Real. Whether [it is his release] clause or not, what we think is that the club has to look to the future.”
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Viktor Gyokeres could be handed dream shirt number after agreement reached
Arsenal plans to finally make their bid for the Swedish striker, and they have one trick on their sleeve to help secure his deal.
The Swedish striker has piqued the interest of several Premier League clubs this summer, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool. He scored 43 goals in 50 appearances for Sporting last season after leaving Coventry for £20 million.
With Cedric Soares departing the club as his contract expired, the No.17 shirt has become available.
Arsenal have the ideal shirt number 17 which the Swedish striker has consistently wore for his Country and Coventry City.