Arsenal and Barcelona may have both been given the green light to complete a transfer for Mikel Merino.
The Real Sociedad midfielder has attracted interest from the two clubs following his performances for Spain at Euro 2024, which included scoring the winning goal against Germany in the quarter-finals on their way to claiming the European Championship for a fourth time in their history.
Club president Jokin Aperribay has revealed that La Real have tabled an offer to extend the 28-year-old’s contract, which expires in 2025.
However, Aperribay added that if Merino chooses to play elsewhere, the club will entertain offers for the player, opening the door for a move to Arsenal or Barcelona. Chelsea have also been linked with the former Newcastle United man.
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Real Sociedad president comments on Arsenal transfer target Merino:
“He has an offer to renew, for over a year, and if he has not renewed yet it is because he does not want to mislead the La Real fans, which speaks well of him,” he said at the presentation of new left-back Javi Lopez on Monday.
“I’d like him not to leave, we all would but, if he tells us he accepts another offer on the table, and wants us to negotiate, we will.
“We know he has some, and what they are. But we still hope Mikel Merino will stay at La Real, but if not we’ll negotiate the best outcome for La Real.”
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