La Liga club reject Arsenal's €35m offer for priority target, set price tag required to sign star - Reports
Real Sociedad have reportedly rejected Arsenal's first bid to sign midfielder Mikel Merino. The 28-year-old played a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph and has been on the Gunners' radar for a while.
With the transfer window set to close in less than two weeks, Mikel Arteta's side submitted a bid of €35 million (including €5 million as add-ons) for Merino. But it was turned down by Sociedad, who are seeking in excess of €40 million for their prized asset, as reported by Karthik Kadhaigal (via Eduardo Hagn)
As per COPE, Merino - who runs out of contract next summer - has a release clause of €65 million - but Sociedad are willing to lower that, with Merino seemingly on his way out.
The Euro 2024 winner was not in Sociedad's squad for their 2-1 home defeat to Rayo Vallecano in their La Liga opener at the weekend. Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil explained his decision to keep Merino out of the squad (as per ESPN):
"We worked with the idea that we would count on him, but I decided to leave him out of the squad. He told me that he was ready to help. He wanted to be on the pitch. We are the ones who are here. There are open talks with other clubs, and this decision is the best for them, for the club and for me.
"I don't know if I'm optimistic about him. I know more or less what he wants, but we don't know how those talks will end. At the moment, he's with us. Tomorrow, he'll be out of the game. We are talking about the best midfielder in La Liga, as I have said before. You can imagine what that means."
Arsenal, who opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend, are expected to return with an improved offer to snap up Merino.
How has Arsenal target Mikel Merino fared for Real Sociedad?
Arsenal target Mikel Merino has had an impressive stint with Real Sociedad, where he made his first-team debut in the 2018-19 season. In 242 games across competitions, he has contributed 27 goals and 30 assists.
That includes eight goals and five assists in 45 games across competitions last season, with Merino scoring and assisting in three different competitions. Alguacil's side finished sixth in La Liga, reached the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 and the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
In Spain's triumphant Euro 2024 campaign, the Arsenal target scored once in seven games, bagging a dramatic winner in the 119th minute in the 2-1 quarter-final win over hosts Germany.