DEAL CONFIRMED: Arsenal is set to finalize the signing of a 25-year-old standout player who challenged Messi during the last World Cup. The paperwork is expected to be completed this morning, with the club waiting for a medical examination today.

Arsenal are currently focused on finalizing the acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori and arranging the transfer of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham. Once these transactions are completed, they plan to turn their attention to Mikel Merino, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

At this point, Arsenal has not submitted a formal bid for Merino, but they face competition from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who are also interested in the player. The transfer fee demanded by Real Sociedad, Merino’s current club, will be a crucial factor in any potential deal.

Should the pursuit of Merino not materialize, Arsenal has other potential targets on their shortlist.

The club’s interest in Merino was reportedly delayed due to his involvement in the UEFA European Championship (Euros) with the Spanish national team. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Arsenal’s interest in the midfielder has seemingly intensified.

Reports have suggested a possible price tag of £20 million for Merino, but without formal negotiations between the clubs, the accuracy of this figure remains uncertain. During the 2023/24 season, Merino made 45 appearances for Real Sociedad, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.

His previous experience in the Premier League includes a stint with Newcastle United, where he played 25 matches during the 2017/18 season before transferring to La Liga.

Merino was also a key player for Spain at Euro 2024, participating in every match as the team won the championship, though mostly as a substitute.

Notably, he scored the decisive goal in the quarter-final against Germany, showcasing his impact on the tournament.