Arsenal Transfer News Roundup: Gunners closing in on Mikel Merino, club turn down offer for English ace, and more - August 3, 2024
Arsenal have already strengthened their squad this summer after signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. Mikel Arteta is now focussing on other areas of the pitch as he looks to take his team to a new level.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are close to securing the signature of Mikel Merino. Elsewhere, the north London side have turned down a bid for an English forward.
On that note, let's look at the major Arsenal transfer news from August 3, 2024.
Arsenal closing in on Mikel Merino, says Fabrizio Romano
Arsenal are close to securing a move for Mikel Merino this summer, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Mikel Arteta is working to improve his midfield this year, with Thomas Partey likely to be on his way. Merino has been identified as the ideal midfield partner for Declan Rice and could be a fine addition to Arteta's relatively young team. The Spanish midfielder is coming off a fine campaign with Real Sociedad and also won Euro 2024 with La Roja.
However, his contract at Reale Arena will expire at the end of next season and he hasn't signed a new deal. Romano has previously stated that Merino has agreed personal terms ahead of a move to the Emirates. The Gunners are now locked in negotiations with the La Liga club to secure his services.
Romano added in his column for Caught Offside that talks are almost at a final stage.
“Let me say that Arsenal are really closing in on the deal for Mikel Merino and let me clarify that the package is going to be something around €30m. We’ll understand in the structure of the deal in the next days, but the agreement between Arsenal and Real Sociedad is really, really close. Everything is proceeding to the final stages,” wrote Romano.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were previously interested in the 28-year-old, but he now looks set to join the north London side.
Gunners turn down offer for Eddie Nketiah, says Fabrizio Romano
Arsenal have turned down Marseille's second offer for Eddie Nketiah, according to Fabrizio Romano. The English forward is no longer part of the Gunners' plans and will be allowed to leave this summer.
Marseille are interested in the 24-year-old and have already agreed personal terms with the player. The Ligue 1 giants are working to strike a deal with the north London side.
Marseille's opening offer for Nketiah was swiftly rejected by Arsenal as it was deemed too low. The French side recently returned with an improved proposal of €27m but the Gunners have knocked it back once again.
Arsenal plan to let the Englishman leave but could be looking to raise more than €30m from his sale.
Former player backs Emile Smith Rowe to excel at Fulham
Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore believes Emile Smith Rowe will benefit from his move to Fulham this summer. The English midfielder has officially moved to Craven Cottage this summer for a reported £35m fee.
Smith Rowe rose through the ranks at the Emirates and has struggled for game time under Mikel Arteta. Injuries haven't helped his cause, and the Spanish manager has opted to cash in on the player this summer.
In his column for Caught Offside, Collymore insisted that the English midfielder could excel with the Cottagers if he keeps his head down and works hard.
“Fulham’s a great club, they’ve got all of the facilities that a high profile player would want, and Emile Smith Rowe wouldn’t have to move very far. I think Fulham will be a revelation for Smith Rowe, and as long as he doesn’t go 'I’ve come down a step because I was at Arsenal, now I’m at Fulham,' everything is there for him to progress," wrote Collymore.
“From an England point of view, a new coach is coming in and you’ve got a player there that’s got undoubted ability, and who should be wounded enough leaving Arsenal to basically stick two fingers up to Arteta and show him what he’s missing,” he added.
Smith Rowe appeared just 19 times across competitions for the Gunners last season, most of which were from the bench.