Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino might not been a regular starter for Luis de la Fuente’s Spain team in the recently concluded European Championship. Still, he played a crucial role off the bench and scored La Roja’s winning goal against Germany in extra-time in the Round of 16.
With his contract set to expire in 2025, clubs have realized that this might be the best time to bring in the 28-year-old Real Sociedad midfielder. Arsenal and Barcelona have expressed interest in signing the Spaniard.
Whilst there has been no movement from either club on this front yet, things might be about to change. As per SPORT, having wrapped up the signing of Italian Euros star Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal might turn their attention to Mikel Merino.
Unlike Barcelona, the Gunners are not cash-strapped and do not need to play out the waiting game in the transfer market. Merino might be available for a bargain this summer and Arsenal can wrap up the deal before the Blaugrana even get a whiff.
The Catalan club’s economic difficulties mean they have to prioritize their transfer operations. Deco & co. are currently focused on signing Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams for Barcelona and Merino has been kept on the back-burner.
Even if the club does wrap up the Nico deal, they are expected to try and bring ex-La Masia talent Dani Olmo to the club. Only after that would Mikel Merino become a priority. By this time, Arsenal might have already signed and presented him.
Real Sociedad are expected to demand around €25-30m for his departure and Arsenal will have no problem in meeting that figure. That fee would be quite under par for a player of the 28-year-old’s abilities.
The only way for Barcelona to still remain in the race and play the waiting game is if Merino himself decided to wait for the Spanish club. In such a scenario, the Spanish club can take their time and try and sign the Spaniard towards the end of the window.
Barcelona need a ball-winner in midfield and Merino is one of the better duelists (both ground and air) going around in La Liga. He is available for a bargain this summer and this transfer makes a lot of sense for the club. Let’s hope Deco & co. prioritize the Real Sociedad midfielder over Dani Olmo and get the deal over the line as soon as they can.
