Arsenal's Ray Parlour is thrilled by the club's move for Spain's Euro 2024 star Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino is the 'perfect' player to complement Declan Rice in the heart of Arsenal's midfield.
That's according to Gunners The invincible Ray Parlour, who has given his former employers his seal of approval in their pursuit of the Real Sociedad star.
talkSPORT has learned that Arsenal and the LaLiga team are In conversations about a summer transfer for the 28-year-old in a potential deal worth more than £25m.
Merino, who spent the 2017/18 season at Newcastle, featured in all of Spain's matches at Euro 2024 to help the team lift the trophy in Germany.
And now it could fit in Mikel ArtetaChelsea's line-up, with the club in the market for a new midfielder following the arrival of Emile Smith Rowe. move to fulham.
Able to play as a left 8 or in double pivot, he is expected to play together with Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard are expected to sign.
Identified as the natural replacement for Granite XhakaHaving been sold to Bayer Leverkusen last year, Parlour believes a potential transfer would be great business.
Speaking on the talkSPORT breakfast show, Parlour insisted his potential arrival could also mark the end of Thomas ParteyRice's career in North London, while allowing him to continue to advance.
He said: “They are considering Thomas Partey, he could be on his way out, so they need a bit of strengthening in that midfield.
“That (Merino's transfer) gives Declan Rice a bit more license to move forward if you have another holding midfielder there.
“I know he plays like that for England in that holding role, but I like to see Declan attack.
“And as I said before, I'm a bit of an old-fashioned midfielder, I like box-to-box players.
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“It's just about using your common sense as a midfielder, if someone who is playing next to you passes in front of you and moves forward, you just replace them, and vice versa, it's very, very simple.”
And Merino fits the bill in that regard, with the former Borussia Dortmund man contributing eight goals and five assists in all competitions last season.
Meanwhile, he demonstrated his defensive abilities by winning the most duels of any player in Europe's top seven leagues last season with 326.
Lounge He continued: “Merino is a top player, he has played well with Spain and with 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, it's a decent deal'.”
“I think they have a good relationship with Real Sociedad anyway with (Kieran) Tierney going there on loan.”
Parlour then claimed that all Arsenal need now is to bring in a top-class centre-forward in the club's quest to win its first Premier League title since 2004, which “Romford Pele” was a part of.
He commented: “I'm sure if they can get a number 9 as well, it will give them a great opportunity.
“But look, Manchester City will still be the favourites to win the league.”
