Arsenal now want to sell £45m star after signing Mikel Merino

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Mikel Merino’s arrival at Arsenal has shuffled the pecking order under Mikel Arteta and one star could now be sold.

Arsenal announced the arrival of Mikel Merino this week after agreeing a £32million deal with Real Sociedad for the midfielder.

He joins David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori as new signings at The Emirates, and the new trio are all expected to slot straight into Mikel Arteta’s plans.

Mikel Merino has been brought in as a long-term partner for Declan Rice, but Arsenal are now looking at thinning their squad after the Spaniard’s arrival.

Emile Smith Rowe has already left in a £34m deal to Fulham, while Eddie Nketiah is set to join Crystal Palace and Aaron Ramsdale is close to joining Southampton.

Reports suggest Arsenal are now looking at offloading another star – although it won’t be before Friday’s 11pm deadline.

Arsenal want to sell £45m midfielder

Arteta has usually kept a small, close-knit squad during his time at Arsenal and with Merino arriving one player could now head for the exit.

According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal are now open to selling Thomas Partey following the signing of Merino.

They believe Merino has been signed by Arsenal to be an immediate starter this season, which leaves little opportunity for Partey to feature in the first team.

Arsenal have no plans to offer Partey a new contract and his current deal is set to expire in 2025. In an attempt to not lose him as a free agent next summer, Arsenal are now willing to sell Partey in January.

However, Partey, who joined Arsenal for £45million, would be able to negotiate a pre-contract with clubs in January so they accept that a sale may be difficult, especially given his high wages.

Arsenal will need a Thomas Partey replacement

While Merino has pushed Partey out of the first-team plans at Arsenal, they will still need midfield depth if they plan on competing in every competition.

READ MORE: Arsenal given chance to sign £48m Premier League star on deadline day with agents still in talks

Declan Rice and Merino is a great midfield pivot, but if either of them suffer an injury then there is a huge drop in quality if Partey is sold.

A new central midfielder would become a top priority if Arsenal choose to sell Partey, and they are still in need of a new centre-forward with a lot of responsibility on Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to lead the line.