Mikel Merino: Arsenal bid rejected as Romano sends ‘really confident’ message

Arsenal are still waiting to complete a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino after they have an offer knocked back for the Spain international star.

Merino has been lined up by the Gunners for several weeks, but while everything is agreed with the player, a deal is proving to be hard to broker with Sociedad.

The Guardian reports that Arsenal have had a formal bid of €25 million rebuffed by the Spaniards, who want €35m for a player who only has a year left on his contract.

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Merino’s Estimated Transfer Value (EVT), meanwhile, stands at €20m, in part due to his expiring contract.

Arsenal are set to launch a second offer, but it is claimed that there is “a recognition that it may take some time to wrap up a deal”.

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’No big issues’ on Merino deal – Romano

Fabrizio Romano offers the Gunners an altogether more positive outlook on the Merino transfer saga.

Writing for the Daily Briefing, the football transfer news reporter says: “Talks are taking place, all parties are optimistic and Merino has been very clear on his plan to join Arsenal. It’s advancing well and there are no big issues now. It’s just about the deal structure with all parties working on it. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both informed on Merino’s plan to go to Arsenal.

“Arsenal have been talking with Sociedad for almost a month, but the plan is clear, with Merino keen to join Arsenal and having the desire to play for Mikel Arteta. It’s just about the clubs working together in a friendly way to find a solution, and the feeling is that Merino is really confident of becoming an Arsenal player in the final two weeks of the window.”

Merino to Arsenal remains on, but it appears it may take some time for a transfer to take place.