JERSEY NUMBER CONFIRMED: £40m superstar have finally agreed to join Arsenal on a three year deal, Final GREENLIGHT given today as player is set to bid farewell to fans soon

Arsenal has already determined who their top target is, and they hope to add a new midfield player before the transfer deadline.

After reaching a personal agreement with Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad, the Gunners must now move forward with a transfer request.

Although Merino’s contract contains a £56 million release clause, Sociedad is hoping to pay substantially less because Merino is nearing the end of his term.

According to Noticias de Gipuzkoa, the La Liga team wants the Gunners to match Atletico’s £30 million offer from earlier this summer, but Mikel Arteta’s team wants to pay less.

Merino has declined offers from Atletico and Barcelona, and Arsenal has a clean shot at signing him. They might profit from Sociedad’s desire to get rid of him before the window shuts.

It’s only a “matter of time” until Arsenal submits an official transfer bid, the Spanish publication continues.

Arsenal will probably bargain for a lesser deal for Merino.
Merino has previously expressed his desire to join Arsenal to Jokin Aperribay, the president of Sociedad.

Now, it is up to the Gunners’ management team, led by sporting director Edu, to complete a transfer deal that works for Sociedad.

Arsenal intends to sign Merino for a contract worth around £21 million and has no intention of matching the amount that Atletico proposed.

As things are, there is a significant disparity in valuation. In the upcoming days, we think a compromise on the transfer could be reached.

Merino, who recently won the Euros with Spain, would be worth £25 million.

Arsenal is hoping to complete the deal as quickly as possible so they can concentrate on acquiring a marquee center-forward.

Although there don’t appear to be any plans to buy a striker, things could change if Eddie Nketiah departs.

The Gunners graduate is being pursued by Bournemouth as a potential Dominic Solanke replacement.