Star completes Arsenal medical – Gunners ‘willing’ to meet £48M clause and sign winger – £100m Striker to replace Nketiah

Mikel Merino is understood to have completed his medical at Arsenal and his arrival at the club is expected to be announced in the coming hours as Mikel Arteta looks to finally get his man.

Merino is a player that ARSENAL have been trying to sign for the past few week – there has been so many rumours about him making that move to the Emirates that is has always been a matter of when and not if.

Now it has been claimed on the Goal website that Merino has now completed his medical at Arsenal – A deal of around £30million has been struck between the Gunners and Real Sociedad.

And the report goes on to say that the Euro 2024 winner Merino will sign a contract at the Emirates until 2028.

Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil recently thanked the player for everything that he has given to Real Sociedad – He said: “Mikel Merino has some farewell stops after mine, but that’s it, because he’s gone.

“Thank you, thank you for everything you have given me, for everything you have given to the team, for everything you have given to the club.

“He arrived as a boy of 22 years old, six years ago, incredible, a brutal growth. An example for all Real Sociedad players, for all signings.

“I’m very happy that Merino is leaving, and I’ll summarise it very simply, because I am also very proud that Mikel Merino is taking this important step [in his career].

ARSENAL STILL WANTS WILLIAMS – 

It has been claimed that Arsenal are still willing to meet the £48 million asking price of Nico Williams before the close of the summer transfer window, as Mikel ARteta still wants to add to his attack.

Nico Williams is one of the most talked about wingers in the game right now and is a player that have been linked with some of the games biggest clubs because of that £53 million release clause.

ARSENAL have been linked with a move to the Emirates for the past few weeks as it has been claimed on numerous occasions that Mikel Arteta is a massive fan of the Spanish star and is ready to pay big money to get a deal done.

Interest from Arsenal over a deal for Williams has dyed down in recent days as Williams’ apparent preference to stay in Spain, but according to the Sun – Arsenal, who are willing to meet his £48million release clause, could make one last-ditch attempt to tempt the 22-year-old to sign.

However, he’s not the only wide player on their extensive target list.

Ex-Gunners defender Bacary Sagna believes Spain’s Euro 2024 hero has thrilling “freshness” and technical skills that could be great for the Gunners – The ex-Manchester City right-back recently told Paddy Power: “I would love to see Nico Williams at Arsenal.

“He represents the freshness at the club, he’s got the legs, he’s very good technically, he’s good in-between the lines and can find passes.

“He would fit Arsenal perfectly and if he comes to the Premier League, I would love to see him there.

“But, I believe he will go to Barcelona and he will be reunited the devil on the right wing [Lamine Yamal] and both of them are amazing.”

OLLIE WATKINS MESSAGE SENT – 

Former Arsenal centre-back William Gallas believes Arsenal should be going all out to sign Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, as he would be a better option to have than Gabriel Jesus in the side.

Watkins is easily regarded as one of the best strikers in the Premier League right now after a stunning season with Aston Villa helped the club get into the Champions League and suggest they are looking to become one of the club fighting for the title.

ARSENAL have constantly been linked with a move for the Englishman in recent weeks and it is widely expected that Mikel Artetat will look to get a striker signed before the close of the window, and according to Gallas, that should be Watkins.

He told Gambling Zone: “For Arsenal, I like Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins. He has the pace you need to have as a striker and with a player like Martin Odegaard in behind him it would just be magnificent, think of all the assists. I think he can spearhead Arsenal to the title.

“It’s so difficult to defend against players like Ollie Watkins because he’s so clever with his runs, with Odegaard they would do so much damage. If I was at Arsenal I’d choose him and he’s better than Jesus.”