Real Sociedad chief sends transfer message to Arsenal | OneFootball

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has on Monday sent a transfer message the way of Premier League giants Arsenal.

This, of course, comes amid the Gunners’ ongoing efforts to land Mikel Merino.

The name of midfielder Merino has taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Spain and England alike for several weeks now.

This comes after the 28-year-old, fresh off playing his part in his country’s triumph at Euro 2024, was identified as a leading target on the part of fellow countryman and Arsenal headmaster Mikel Arteta.

With just 12 months remaining on his contract at Anoeta, and Merino himself understood to be keen on a move to The Emirates, the transfer, initially, was considered something of a formality.

And yet, several weeks on, official confirmation of an agreement between the parties is yet to arrive…

Speaking to the media on Monday, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of the club’s discussions with their Arsenal counterparts was put to the aforementioned Jokin Aperribay.

And, in his response, Real Sociedad’s president confirmed that, though he intends to ‘defend the interests’ of the club, La Real are also keen to grant Merino’s Arsenal-shaped wish:

“We will talk to Arsenal and defend the interests of Real Sociedad. When we consider that the offer is good, we will say yes. We know what Merino’s wishes are, so we decided not to call him up [to face Rayo Vallecano on Sunday].”

Conor Laird | GSFN