Real Sociedad President admits a deal for Mikel Merino to Arsenal could be in the making

The President of top-flight Spanish La Liga side Real Sociedad Jokin Aperribay has admitted that a deal to take midfielder Mikel Merino to EPL club Arsenal could be in the making.

The Football Executive who disclosed in a post shared on the X handle of journalist Chris Wheatley, said that Arsenal which is one of the teams they didn’t want to bid for the mercurial midfielder has started negotiations for the player’s transfer.

“Unfortunately, one of the teams we didn’t want to show up showed up,” Sociedad’s president was quoted as saying (via Daily Mail) alluding to the Gunners.

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“When we consider that the offer is good, we will say yes,” Aperribay said.

He added: “We know what Merino’s wishes are, so we decided not to call him up [to the squad].“

Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil had previously been drawn on Merino’s absence, saying he had decided to leave him out of the team for technical reasons.

“I’ve left Merino out of the squad as there are talks with other clubs… and this is the best solution now.” He said.