Real Sociedad believe holding onto Mikel Merino is a lost cause, and Arsenal are emerging as the clear favourites for the midfielder’s signature.

Fabrizio Romano reports in his Daily Briefing that Real Sociedad consider Mikel Merino a lost cause, and they will make no further attempts to hold onto him.

Romano adds that Merino isn’t just going to say yes to the first club to make him an offer, and he wants to consider all his options.

Even so, Arsenal don’t appear to have many strong rivals for the signing at the moment.

Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona have both been linked with Merino in recent weeks, but Atletico are reportedly pessimistic after failing to include the player in their deal for Robin Le Normand.

As for Barcelona, they’ve told Merino that they’re currently focusing on other matters.

Arsenal are also focusing elsewhere at the moment, wanting to complete the signing of Riccardo Calafiori and the sale of Emile Smith Rowe before moving for Merino. But those two deals are on the verge of completion, with both expected to be done this week.

Romano concludes his piece by saying that Mikel Arteta holds Merino in particularly high regard.

We’ve seen already this summer that Arteta’s opinion holds a lot of weight with Arsenal transfers, with the manager pushing through the deal for Calafiori despite the fact that some at the club were less sure about the deal.

With Merino’s current club expecting him to leave, Arsenal clearly interested, and rival suitors fading from the race, this saga only seems to be going in one direction right now.