Mikel Merino has reportedly missed training with Real Sociedad as it sounds like a move to Arsenal is imminent and can now only be considered a matter of time.
This is according to the report of transfer expert Fabrizio Romano through his official account on X, previously Twitter, with the Italian journalist providing an update on what has been going on for a long time this summer.
Watch below for the full details from Romano as he makes it clear that Merino is on his way out of Sociedad and that a move to the Emirates Stadium is now a matter of when rather than…
???? Mikel Merino has not yet trained with the team as his move to Arsenal is a matter of time.
?????? pic.twitter.com/3B05mEoMiO
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2024
Merino has been linked with Arsenal for a long time, having shone in La Liga and also caught the eye of Spain as they won Euro 2024 earlier this summer.
The 28-year-old looks set to suit Mikel Arteta's style of play, with Charles Watts also discussing the deal in his latest Daily Briefing column.
Merino transfer: What Charles Watts had to say about Arsenal's top target
“This could be the week that the Mikel Merino deal finally takes a big step forward,” Watts said.
“There is always talk of two clubs agreeing on an agreement that applies to both. Sociedad are obviously losing a big player in Merino and although it has been accepted at the club that he will be allowed to leave this summer due to the nature of his contract, they were never going to give him away.
“His doing for Spain in the Euros also strengthened their position a little bit so they have been waiting to get money and a deal that works for them and you can clearly see that things are taking longer than Arsenal and Mikel Arteta certainly could have done it. they wanted.
“There is no doubt that Arteta would have liked to have Merino before this, but he had to be patient while the negotiations between the clubs continued. But a deal now looks close and I expect things to continue this week ahead of Saturday's trip to Aston Villa.
“I can't say yet what the final amount will be, but it looks like it's around the £30million mark, which in today's market doesn't seem excessive. It looks like a good deal for Arsenal. “
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