Manager confirms Arsenal interest in ‘irreplaceable’ player as deal gets closer | OneFootball

Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil has confirmed Arsenal’s widely-reported pursuit of Mikel Merino, with the deal seemingly close to completion.

Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino celebrates scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on March 5, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal are pushing to complete the signing of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, and Imanol Alguacil confirmed the Gunners’ pursuit of the player on Sunday.

Alguacil had left Merino out of his squad to face Rayo Vallecano, and Sociedad went on to lose the match 2-1. But the manager said they can’t use their outgoing players as excuses.

“Merino and Le Normand? There are no two players like them,” Alguacil began.

“They are irreplaceable players. Because of what they have done, we are talking about Le Normand leaving, Arsenal want Merino and Liverpool were willing to pay the release clause for Zubimendi.

“But we cannot always look for an excuse when Merino and Le Normand are not there if things don’t work out for us.”

MALLORCA, SPAIN: Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Mallorca and Real Sociedad at Estadi de Son Moix on February 18, 2024. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reported on Sunday that Merino’s move from Real Sociedad to Arsenal is now just about the final details of a deal, and that we could see a full agreement within two days.

The two clubs are already in agreement on the fee, having spent time working on the payment terms, deal structure, and add-ons in the last few weeks. Now it’s just a case of finalising the last details of the transfer.

Romano added that Merino can’t wait to play for Mikel Arteta, and he believes that Arsenal is the perfect place for him to be.

STUTTGART, GERMANY: Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

David Ornstein confirmed this week that Arsenal were stepping up efforts to sign Merino, with talks ongoing and Edu Gaspar travelling to Spain to pursue an agreement.

Ornstein added that Arsenal were confident of a positive resolution, with Merino himself keen to join and personal terms not thought to be an issue.

Sociedad offered Merino a new contract to try and convince him to stay, but his representatives made it clear that he wants to join Arsenal.

Merino made 45 appearances for Sociedad last season, scoring eight goals and assisting a further five. He then joined up with Spain on international duty, featuring throughout Euro 2024 as his team ended up winning the trophy.