Mikel Merino is a target for Arsenal this summer(Image: Ion Alcoba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Real Sociedad chief drops major Mikel Merino exit hint amid Arsenal links

Latest Arsenal transfer news and gossip as Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino continues to be linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium

31 Jul 2024, 14:58 by Mark Wakefield · football.london

Real Sociedad's president has hinted that the club may be forced to sell Mikel Merino amid Arsenal transfer links.

The Gunners have been credited with an interest in signing Merino all summer. The 28-year-old has just one more season on his contract with the La Liga club which has led to increased speculation about his future.

Merino has already received a new contract offer from Sociedad but is yet to put pen to paper on a deal.

Reports have speculated that Arsenal are closing in on signing Merino, as they look to complete a bargain deal for the former Newcastle midfielder.

However, Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay says that despite Merino receiving offers from other clubs, no agreement has been reached with Sociedad.

Aperribay did admit, though, that there is the possibility of Sociedad negotiating for Merino's exit this summer should the midfielder not sign a new contract.

“I don’t know. We are aware that Merino has offers, and we know them,” Apperibay told Mundo Deportivo.

“The conversation with him and those around him has been very sincere and hopefully his decision is to stay. He already knows that we want him to stay.

“He has had a renewal offer for some time. And if not, we will try to negotiate the best way out for Real.

“What we think is that the club has to look to the future. Try to be stronger every year or every day.

"You don’t have to hide behind a contract when a player tells you that he wants to take advantage of an opportunity. Daily work makes us stronger.”

Arsenal have already completed four signings so far this summer, with Riccardo Calafiori the latest new addition to Mikel Arteta's squad. The defender joins David Raya, Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard in becoming permanent signings for the Gunners this summer.

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