Real Sociedad have made one last effort to keep midfielder Mikel Merino after Arsenal made their move for him.
That’s according to El Diario Vasco, who say La Real have offered the midfielder the contract terms he wants in an effort to keep him at the club and stop him leaving this summer.
Merino is a target for several teams this summer as he enters the final year of his deal with Real Sociedad and has helped his reputation with several impressive performances for Spain at Euro 2024.
Indeed, reports over the last few days have seen Arsenal stepping up their interest in the midfielder, and even that he believes the Gunners are the best option for him this summer.
In the meantime, Real Sociedad are desperately hoping that their star man will remain this summer and are now trying to tempt him into doing so.
According to El Diario Vasco, report that the club have made the midfielder an offer ‘that meets all the requests established’ by his agents in their latest round of talks.
They believe that, coupled with the fact they can offer European football, is enough to convince him to stay. It had been the economic aspect that was seemingly stopping it happening, but they’ve now taken that off the table.
They’ve made a ‘significant effort’ on that front, placing him at the top of the club’s salary scale and making it clear they’re desperate to keep him.
This latest effort seems to have been a reaction to Arsenal, and others, starting to make their moves for the midfielder after he shone for the new European champions in Germany.
Whether it’s enough remains to be seen but the fact they’re now making such an effort would suggest they are sincerely concerned about the midfielder potentially departing this summer.
