Arsenal fans may have to brace themselves for more summer exits before the club can seal the signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. Despite reportedly agreeing terms with 28-year-old, the deal is appearing to drag on with the two parties yet to finalise a fee.
Merino is said to have a has a £52million release clause in his contract, but the Premier League club are looking to pay considerably less than that, with the player in the final year of his contract.
The Gunners have already signed Riccardo Calafiori this summer, while David Raya has made his loan move from Brentford permanent.
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And Merino attracted the interest of the club with his displays in Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 campaign. In the quarter-final against Germany, he scored an 119th minute header to secure his side a 2-1 victory, and also featured in the final against England.
But having also spent more than £200million last season, Arsenal must make player sales in order to ensure they comply with profit and sustainability rules. Emilie Smith-Rowe has been one player to depart, leaving for Fulham in a £34m deal.
And according to the Athletic, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Aaron Ramsdale are all looking for moves ahead of the start of the season in order to play first-team football. The club’s Premier League campaign gets underway on August 17 with a home game with Wolves.
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Ramsdale, 26, has been linked with a move ever since losing his place in the starting XI to Raya last season. But any proposed switch was put on hold this summer by his involvement with England in Euro 2024, although he never got on the field in Germany.
In the absence of Ramsdale and Raya, it was Estonian Karl Hein who played as keeper on the recent pre-season trip to the US. Despite having just one League Cup appearance to his name at senior level for the club, the 22-year-old is set to step up to the role of club no.2 if Ramsdale is indeed sold.
Nketiah also struggled for a regular place last season, despite hitting his first top-flight hat-trick against Sheffield United. The 25-year-old forward also travelled for the tour of America, but failed to impress in games against Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool.
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Nelson too been confined to a bit part role, starting just once in the Premier League last season. The right-back, 24, has previously been sent on loan at Hoffeinheim and Feyenoord and is now said to be seeking a permanent transfer.
Arsenal are likely to sanction quick deals for all three players, with Mikel Arteta wanting his business done in time for the club’s title challenge to begin. The Gunners have just two pre-season fixtures left to play, hosting Bayern Leverkusen tonight (Wednesday) and Lyon on Sunday.
