Real Sociedad are holding out for €35m but Arsenal only want to pay €25m for Mikel Merino

Arsenal have been aiming to pay closer to €25 million for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino due to his contract expiring next summer, but his club are holding out for €35m, according to the Independent.

The Gunners would also prefer to spread any agreed valuation over three years, but the La Liga club want much more of the fee upfront.

While Merino wants to join Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta has already been planning for different ways that he can use the Euro 2024 star, the Gunners are anticipating long hours negotiating with Sociedad.

The Spanish club do not want to lose such a key player right now and are not ready to allow him to leave for cheap even if they eventually sanction his exit.

Arsenal have been enduring slow negotiations over both a fee and also how much is paid over instalments, and they may need to move closer to the asking price of La Real to have a chance of landing the Spain international.

Martin Zubimendi turning down Liverpool is expected to be a boost for the Gunners in their pursuit of the 28-year-old as Sociedad would not have wanted to lose two midfielders in a single window.

However, things may not prove straightforward with both clubs still some distance apart over the structure and fee.

While Merino has reportedly agreed personal terms with Arsenal, negotiations between the clubs could yet go to the very end of the summer transfer window.

Landing the Spaniard will be huge for the North London club as they could do with his versatility and quality in the middle of the park, but it will require work on the part of the Gunners to get a deal done.

The window is almost halfway gone, and Arsenal need to ramp up negotiations if they want to land their man.