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

Arsenal are aiming to sign a new midfielder before the transfer deadline and they have already identified their priority target.

The Gunners have agreed personal terms with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino and they now need to proceed with a transfer offer.

Merino has a £56 million release clause in his contract, but Sociedad are eyeing a much lesser fee as he has entered the last year of his deal.

The La Liga outfit want the Gunners to match Atletico’s £30m proposal earlier this summer, but Mikel Arteta’s side are aiming to pay less, as per Noticias de Gipuzkoa.

Arsenal have a clear run at signing Merino who has turned down Atletico and Barcelona. They could capitalise on Sociedad’s need to sell him before the window closes.

The Spanish outlet add that it is a ‘matter of time’ before Arsenal make a formal transfer bid.

Arsenal likely to negotiate lower package for Merino
Merino has already told Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay that he wants to go to Arsenal.

The onus is now on the Gunners’ hierarchy which includes sporting director Edu to finalise a suitable transfer agreement with Sociedad.

Arsenal have no plans to match the fee offered by Atletico and they are aiming to sign Merino for a package in the region of £21m.

There is a distant gap in valuation as things stand. We believe a middle ground could be reached for the transfer in the coming days.

£25m would represent a fair value for Merino who recently won the Euros with Spain.

Hopefully, Arsenal can finalise the transfer as soon as possible so that they can focus on the purchase of a marquee centre-forward.

There seem to be no plans to purchase a striker, but the scenario could change if Eddie Nketiah leaves.

Bournemouth are interested in signing the Gunners graduate as a replacement for Dominic Solanke.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com