Player ‘seems to have opted’ to sign Arsenal – Growing assumption transfer on way

On Saturday we covered claims from Spanish newspaper AS which stated Mikel Merino’s future points towards Arsenal and he’d be keen on a move to the Premier League club.

The Gunners are obviously an attractive prospect right now, they’re on the up and have Champions League football. However, AS said Merino would also be attracted by living in London and having the chance to return to the Premier League, with the insinuation he has unfinished business from his time at Newcastle United.

Sunday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo states the midfielder was an option for Barcelona, but ‘seems to have opted’ to sign for Arsenal instead. The Real Sociedad player was a ‘very popular name’ at Barcelona, reports the Catalan newspaper, but they’ve now had to move to other options.

Up in the Basque region, Noticias de Gipuzkoa are talking about him like a transfer is a certain thing, saying La Real’s most important midfielder is on the way out.

Arsenal can get a great deal here due to Merino having less than a year left on his current contract and it looks like one of the wiser moves of the summer if the Gunners go through with it.