Player would be ‘delighted’ to sign for Arsenal – Gunners very keen, future ‘points to London’

Arsenal have an advantage over most other clubs in the Premier League when attracting players: They can offer living in London as a temptation.

For footballers overseas it’s often seen as a huge attraction, and that’s thought to be the case with Mikel Merino.

Saturday’s edition of AS reports the player’s future ‘points to London’, Arsenal are presented as being very keen on the Real Sociedad midfielder, and the city ‘attracts him a lot’.

Additionally, at least as AS have it, Merino would be ‘delighted’ to sign for Arsenal because he feels he has a ‘thorn in his side’ from his time at Newcastle United, perhaps feeling he should have made a bigger impact in the Premier League.

Merino’s contract with Real Sociedad now has less than a year to run, and it’s claimed Arsenal would have to pay €30m. Barcelona are Atletico Madrid considered signing the player earlier this summer, but have ultimately decided against it.

That may make it easier for the Gunners if they want to drag that €30m figure down, although La Real will feel that’s a bargain anyway for the Spain international.

PSG’s Carlos Soler is being seen as an option to replace him.