Talks between Arsenal and Real Sociedad over a move for Spain Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino are ongoing, talkSPORT understands.
Merino has turned down the offer of a new contract at Sociedad.
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The midfielder has been with the Spanish club since 2018 but appears to have his heart set on a move to north London.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping to make him the second permanent transfer signing of the window, after they secured Italian defender Ricardo Calafiori from Bolgona.
Gabby Agbonlahor believes Arsenal should be the favourites to win the Premier League this season over Manchester City
Merino starred at Euro 2024, helping his team to victory with a particularly crucial contribution coming in the quarter-final.
With mere seconds of extra time left on the clock in that match, substitute Merino became the hero when he leapt to head Dani Olmo’s cross into the back of the net and secure victory in the 119th minute.
Spain then went on to defeat France and then, memorably, England in the final to lift the Euro 2024 trophy.
But now former Newcastle star Merino could be embarking upon a new journey after his heroics on the global stage as it looks like he will not be committing his future with Real Sociedad.
It comes just days after Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay told Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo that the club were determined to keep hold of him.
“We are aware that Merino has offers, and we know them,’ Aperribay said.
“The conversation with him and those around him has been very sincere and hopefully his decision is to stay, he already knows that we want him to stay.
“He has had a renewal offer for some time. And if not, we will try to negotiate the best way out for Real.
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“Whether (it is his release) clause or not, what we think is that the club has to look to the future. Try to be stronger every year or every day.
“You don’t have to hide behind a contract when a player tells you that he wants to take advantage of an opportunity. Daily work makes us stronger.’
He added: “I would like him not to leave. If he tells us that he likes any of the offers he has on the table, we will see.
“We are not negotiating with any club now.”
However, it is now understood that Arsenal are indeed involved in talks with the La Liga club.