Real Sociedad drop Mikel Merino to Arsenal transfer hint as Liverpool hit roadblock

Arsenal could be moving closer towards securing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino after the Spanish club opted not to include him in their squad to face Union Berlin in a pre-season friendly on Friday.

But Liverpool’s attempts to sign his team-mate Martin Zubimendi may have hit a roadblock as the midfielder has travelled to Germany is set to play in the game. 

He was also the face of La Real's graphic on social media as they confirmed their travelling squad for the match at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei at 6pm tomorrow.

The two Premier League giants are both busy preparing their squads ahead of the start of the new campaign and are looking to raid the La Liga club before next weekend, when the season starts.

Merino has not been called up to the Sociedad squad as transfer talks are still ongoing. The deal is at an advanced stage per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

But the structure and payment terms still need to be clarified. Liverpool, meanwhile, are trying to convince Zubimendi to move to Anfield.

Merino has spent the last six years at Sociedad after joining the club from Newcastle and helped his team reach the last 16 of the Champions League last season.

He featured in all seven of Spain’s matches at Euro 2024 and netted the winning goal in the quarter-final victory over Germany as his country went on to defeat England in the final.

Arsenal had looked at Zubimendi themselves earlier this summer but were informed the player, also admired by Manchester United, wanted to stay in Spain with his boyhood club.

Liverpool have been given greater encouragement they can do a deal but Real Sociedad are desperately trying to keep him at Anoeta.

Yet as the Merseyside club fight to tempt their top target to leave the Basque Country, Arsenal appear to be closer to doing a deal for Merino.

If Merino is prised away then that could be problematic for Liverpool's ambitions of signing his team-mate.

It is expected he will cost Arsenal £25million if they can get a deal over the line. The ex-Newcastle man has just one year remaining on his contract in his homeland.