Arsenal require a high-profile departure before securing their next summer signing.
The Gunners are currently in talks with Real Sociedad over midfielder Mikel Merino. Sporting director Edu Gaspar has personally travelled to Spain to broker an agreement, as per The Athletic.
With under 12 months left on his contract, Sociedad are resigned to the possibility of losing Merino. It is claimed that the Spain international has already given the green light to join the Gunners.
Despite this, a deal may not be straightforward. Arsenal are planning for a significant departure in the coming days before securing the signature of Merino from Sociedad.
The north London giants previously progressed with the signing of Riccardo Calafiori only after a broad agreement with Fulham over the sale of midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.
In the case of Merino, Eddie Nketiah is the likeliest player to make way. The Englishman is attracting interest from Bournemouth, who are eyeing a replacement for Dominic Solanke.
Arsenal could secure Merino deal soon
Marseille recently pulled out of negotiations for Nketiah, but the 25-year-old is still on the radar of multiple clubs including Bournemouth. There is a realistic chance that he could leave.
Arsenal have plans to fill the void with a new midfielder in the form of Merino, who has been described as ‘world-class‘ by Kieran Tierney.
The 28-year-old has a £56 million release clause in his Sociedad contract, but Arsenal plan to sign him for around £21m before the deadline.
Sociedad want the Gunners to match the £30m offered by Atletico earlier this summer, but Mikel Arteta’s side appear optimistic of signing him for less, given Merino’s strong desire to join them.
Meanwhile, the decision to sell Nketiah has nothing to do with PSR. The Mirror’s Ryan Taylor claims that Arsenal are well within the limits and they are aiming to keep a positive balance sheet.
This would be useful for the Gunners if they are planning to spend big on a marquee striker before the transfer window closes. The club have held initial talks with Sporting for Viktor Gyokeres.
