There have been several different names that have been linked to FC Barcelona this summer. Given the fact that the club wanted to sign and invest in the squad during this transfer window, it was to be expected. Unfortunately, what was not expected was the fact that Barcelona would still not have signed a single first-team player apart from Pau Victor from Girona.
Thus far, all that the Catalan club has managed to do is target certain players and enter negotiations for them. The future of Nico Williams remains up in the air, while Dani Olmo’s arrival at Barcelona is still complicated by the looks of it.
However, because of these two targets, Barça have neglected other priorities. One such priority was the arrival of a new pivot, and so far no significant progress has been made on that front. Even the one low-cost option, Mikel Merino, that Barcelona had figured out now seems closer than ever to joining Premier League side Arsenal.
Yet, there may still be a chance for Merino and Barcelona to be united. According to Mundo Deportivo, with Nico Williams now looking unlikely to come and with Oriol Romeu having been loaned to Girona as well, the door may once again open for Merino to join Barça.
For Real Sociedad, the ideal destination for the player would still be Arsenal. The English club, as long as it meets the financial demands of the Spanish side, will acquire the services of the Euro 2024 star from Spain. However, for the player himself, there has been no shortage of hope to possibly join La Blaugrana.
It will now be dependent on Barcelona if they can make a suitable move in time to hijack Merino’s move to Arsenal. That would not only secure for them the services of a reliable and experienced midfielder, but someone who also wants to join the club, a factor that almost always pays off due to dedication and loyalty.
Moreover, both Deco and Hansi Flick reportedly like him a lot. From a sporting perspective, he is liked by the club, but he is also a favorable signing from an economic point of view as well. However, with Arsenal looking focused on signing him, it may just end up being a matter of time before his arrival at Barcelona becomes an impossibility.
