Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino and will spend close to £100m in the summer
Arsenal are in advanced talks with Real Sociedad over the signing of Spain's Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino, talkSPORT understands.
Merino is interested in joining the Gunners and there is optimism on both sides that a deal can be reached for the £30m former Newcastle midfielder.
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talkSPORT reported earlier this month how the north London giants entered into negotiations with the Spanish side.
And Arsenal were encouraged to sign the 28-year-old after he rejected a new contract offer from Real Sociedad.
With his contract at the Reale Arena set to expire next summer, the LaLiga outfit know that now is the time to cash in on the player.
The midfielder enjoyed his best season last term, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in all competitions.
And he continued his fine form at the European Championships, where he played a key role in helping Spain lift the trophy for a record fourth time.
Merino, who spent the 2017/18 season at Newcastle, featured in all seven of Spain's matches.
He even scored the winning goal against host nation Germany in the quarter-finals in a thrilling 2-1 extra-time victory.
If he decides to join the Emirates, Arsenal would have to spend almost £100m on three players this summer.
Arsenal have signed goalkeeper David Raya – Merino's team-mate on the international stage – for £27m after converting his loan from Brentford into a permanent deal.
And then they sealed a £38m deal to sign versatile defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
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If Arsenal sign Merino, they could… play together with Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard as part of a three-man midfield.
Arsenal's invincible Ray Parlour has already given his seal of approval about his former employers' hunt for the player.
The talkSPORT pundit said: “Merino is a top-class player, he has played well for Spain and Real Sociedad.
“He's a good age, 28, he's perfect, he should be in his prime at that time.
“And Arsenal have said: 'for £25m (£30m), it's a decent deal'.”
“I think they have a good relationship with Real Sociedad anyway with (Kieran) Tierney going there on loan.”
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