Arsenal will now have to pay a hefty price to land their main transfer target.
In the modern era, transfer deals are typically paid for in installments; clubs may, for example, pay a £30 million fee over ten years at £3 million every twelve months.
But now, in order to secure a target for Mikel Arteta, Arsenal is prepared to pay the full asking price up front.
According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Arsenal is now prepared to give Real Sociedad their entire €30 million (£25.2 million) asking price for Mikel Merino.
The Spanish news source claims that since Barcelona can only afford the deal in staggered payments, this makes Arsenal the favourites and is appealing to Real Sociedad, who are content to lose Merino after he rejected a new contract.
The Spain international has not yet decided on his next club, according to Mundo Deportivo, but Real Sociedad believes that Arsenal is the best option financially.
It follows claims made by Mundo Deportivo in an unrelated story that Arsenal has extended a life-altering contract offer to Merino in an effort to entice him to the Emirates Stadium.
Kieran Tierney has referred to the Real Sociedad No. 8 as a “world class footballer.” He made 45 appearances across all competitions in the previous season, tallying five assists and eight goals.
In the UEFA Euro 2024, Merino also scored the game’s winning goal in the 119th minute to eliminate Germany in the quarterfinals, with Spain winning the championship.
Merino must still accept Arsenal, of course, but at the moment, the Gunners are comfortably ahead of Barcelona.
According to reports, Barcelona is willing to spend their whole budget on the Athletic Bilbao No. 11 this summer in an attempt to sign Nico Williams.
Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team’s second goal against RCD Mallorca in the LaLiga EA Sports match at…
Therefore, it appears that this deal could move forward quickly if Arsenal can persuade Merino to sign, and Real Sociedad is relieved to learn that the Gunners intend
to pay the £25.2 million asking price upfront.
