Arsenal reached agreement at weekend – Gunners now pushing forward for deal, Edu key in operation

On Wednesday, Radio Marca reported Real Sociedad have rejected Arsenal’s opening bid for Mikel Merino.

Noticias de Gipuzkoa relay that and then share their own updates on the Gunners’ pursuit of the midfielder.

Merino has less than a year left on his deal and is keen to join Arsenal. They have been in contact with La Real over the past few weeks and the two clubs want to avoid dragging this deal out.

Mikel Arteta is the 28-year-old’s main supporter and is keen to have him at Arsenal as soon as possible.

The Premier League side have been negotiating with the Spain international’s entourage over the past few weeks. The report says the two parties reached an agreement at the weekend.

Merino began to get restless before Arsenal tabled an offer. Noticias de Gipuzkoa say their director, Edu Gasper, made a trip to Spain to assure the player.

Mundo Deportivo also say contacts between Arsenal and Real Sociedad have been ‘active’. They add the north London club’s first bid was €30m, while Real Sociedad are requesting €40m, those figures may be higher than reality.

It ‘seems inevitable’ that the Euro 2024 winner will join the Premier League side, it’s just a matter of for how much.

Journalist Kike Marin claims it’s only a ‘matter of time’ before Arsenal complete the deal for Merino.