Real Sociedad set new price for midfielder Mikel Merino amid Arsenal interest
|Arsenal are aiming to sign a new central midfielder before the transfer window closes next week.
Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino is the number one priority for the club but as things stand, they are yet to find a suitable agreement with the La Liga outfit for his services.
COPE today claim that the Gunners recently made an offer of £30 million including add-ons, but the proposal was turned down. Sociedad want more than £34m.
Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo add that Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has travelled to the English capital to finalise the transfer of Merino to the Gunners.
His intention is to get around £34m for the sale of the Spain international from Arsenal. Sociedad would be willing to accept payments in the form of instalments.
Arsenal are yet to meet the request, but there is a belief that the Gunners can be talked into a deal.
Arsenal could finalise agreement for Merino this week
The Merino transfer saga has dragged for a month without a proper resolution.
It is known that the ‘world-class‘ star wants to move to the Gunners this summer. He has already agreed personal terms over a transfer after turning down Atletico Madrid.
With a year left on his contract, Arsenal were probably eyeing a bargain deal for the Spaniard, who has a release clause worth £56 million in his deal with the Basque outfit.
However, they are being made to pay much more by Sociedad, considering Merino has been one of the undisputed starters for the La Liga outfit over the past six years.
Hopefully, Arsenal can sort out an agreement this week with Aperribay in London. This is required for the club to concentrate on the purchase of a forward before the deadline.
We believe the club will pursue an attacker if Eddie Nketiah were to leave.