Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino is of interest to Arsenal this summer, with Mikel Arteta an admirer, according to a report.

Spain's midfielder #06 Mikel Merino addresses a press conference of Spain's national football team, ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 European football Championships, in Donaueschingen, on June 12, 2024. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain’s Mikel Merino addresses a press conference of Spain’s national football team, ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 European football Championships, in Donaueschingen, on June 12, 2024. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that Arsenal want a central midfielder this summer, and one player of interest is Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino.

According to McNicholas, Mikel Arteta is an admirer of Merino’s talent and physicality, and the suggestion is that Arsenal could stray from their usual age recruitment profile for the 28-year-old.

Though Arsenal have primarily focused on younger signings in recent years, McNicholas points out that the Gunners have occasionally done deals for the likes of Jorginho and Leandro Trossard.

Given the youth of the current squad, an experienced addition might not be a bad thing.

MALLORCA, SPAIN - JUNE 08: Mikel Merino of Spain looks on during the international friendly match between Spain and Northern Ireland at Estadi de Son Moix on June 08, 2024 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
MALLORCA, SPAIN: Mikel Merino of Spain looks on during the international friendly match between Spain and Northern Ireland at Estadi de Son Moix on June 08, 2024. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of Arsenal interest in Merino. In late June, Barcelona journalist Toni Juanmarti reported that Arteta had reached out to Merino personally to express his interest and outline his potential role at Arsenal.

That phone call and Arsenal’s financial stability led Juanmarti to suggest that Merino had been swayed in favour of the Gunners over rival interest from Barcelona.

The report suggested Merino could be available for €25m (£21.1m), with one year left on his deal, making him a more affordable option for Arsenal than some of the alternatives.

fbl esp liga valencia real sociedad
Real Sociedad’s Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino (L) vies with then-Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah during the Spanish League football match between Valencia CF and Real Sociedad at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, on February 25, 2023. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Merino made 45 appearances for Real Sociedad in 2023/24, scoring eight goals and assisting a further four. He previously played in the Premier League with Newcastle United for a season, making 25 appearances in 2017/18 before moving on to La Liga.

The midfielder has been a regular for Spain at Euro 2024, largely coming off the bench, but he had a pivotal impact scoring the winning goal in the quarter-final against Germany.

If Arsenal are genuinely keen on the signing, you’d expect them to step up their interest after Spain conclude their participation at the tournament.