Real Sociedad manager comments on Mikel Merino’s future as club exclude midfielder from squad

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Real Sociedad manager Imaon Aguacil has provided an update on the future of Arsenal target Mikel Merino.

Arsenal completed the signing of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori and the Gunners are understood to be keen on Mikel Merino.

We have reported that Merino is waiting for the greenlight to move to Arsenal this summer with Mikel Arteta keen on adding the Spaniard to his team.

HITC revealed this week that talks were progressing between the two clubs and Arsenal had hoped a deal would be agreed by this weekend.

Sociedad manager Imaon Aguacil has commented on the future of the former Newcastle United midfielder.

Real Sociedad comment on Merino’s future

While Sociedad still have Martin Zubimendi at their disposal – the Spaniard turning down a £51 million move to Liverpool this week – one player who will not feature against Vallecano is Merino.

With La Liga kicking off this weekend, Sociedad will face Vallecano but Merino will not be available for the Spanish giants and Sociedad’s manager has commented on the situation.

“Mikel Merino is not in the squad because I decided so,” Aguacil said as per Football.London. He was ready to help the team.

“We will see if he will be with us next week or not. There are open negotiations with other clubs.”

Arsenal’s sporting director Edu Gaspar, meanwhile, has been in Spain recently. A full agreement is understood to be closer than ever now, even if the proposed structure of the payments regarding his £30 million deal is yet to be rubber-stamped.

Merino will be a vital addition for Arsenal

The Spaniard starred for his national team during Euro 2024 with the former Newcastle midfielder scoring the winner against Germany in the quarter-final of the competition as La Roja went on to win the competition.

Merino could be a vital addition for Arsenal if they can get a deal done for the Spaniard and for just £30 million, it could prove to be one of the signings of the summer.

With Thomas Partey’s injury problems meaning that the Gunners have been struggling in midfield, the signing of the energetic Spaniard could be key this summer.