Arsenal is said to want to sign Mikel Merino, a playmaker for Real Sociedad who has said he wants to move.

With his game-winning goal against Germany in the European Championship quarterfinal, the winner of Euro 2024 with Spain has become a top target for a number of big teams.

But Arsenal’s interest in Merino is thought to have begun before the international event. This is because the Gunners, especially Mikel Arteta, want to make their midfield stronger.

The Telegraph says that Real Sociedad is willing to sell the player so that they don’t lose him when he becomes a free agent in a year.

The news comes after Erreala got Martin Zubimendi to agree to stay with the team for the 2024–25 season.

Mail Sport said before that Zubimendi turned down offers from a number of big teams, including Liverpool, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich.

Merino, who is 28 years old, has one year left on his deal and wants to join the Premier League team.

Reports say that Edu, Arsenal’s sports director, went to Spain this week to talk about the player’s possible move. It looks like the player’s personal terms are not an issue.

Mikel Merino used to play for Newcastle and has experience in the Premier League. He used to play with Arsenal defender Martin Odegaard.

Later, he became an important player for Real Sociedad under coach Imanol Alguacil. In 2022–23, he was on LaLiga’s Team of the Season.

He has played 242 times for Erreala, and in the last three seasons, he has played at least 40 games each year.

The player, who has played for Borussia Dortmund and Osasuna, has scored 36 goals and set up 36 others in his career.

Arsenal is also trying to get rid of players to balance its budget. This summer, the club brought in Riccardo Calafiori and sent Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham.

Eddie Nketiah wants to leave the Emirates, which could help a deal for Merino. Bournemouth is interested in the English player.

The Cherries lost their star attacker Dominic Solanke to Tottenham for £65 million and are now looking for a replacement after their first offer for Porto striker Evanilson was turned down.