Arsenal are expected to return to Real Sociedad with a new offer for Mikel Merino in the coming days, though a deal may not be done imminently.

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid CF at Reale Arena on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid CF at Reale Arena on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Ed Aarons reports for The Guardian that Arsenal are expected to return with a new offer for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino in the coming days, with formal transfer talks now open.

Aarons adds that there is understood to be recognition that it may take some time to wrap up a deal, with the new Premier League campaign starting this weekend.

According to Aarons, Arsenal made a first formal bid worth €25m (£21.4m), but Sociedad are holding out for a fee of around €35m (£30m). That’s a fairly substantial gap, but it doesn’t seem impossible the two clubs could reach a compromise.

Alex Howell of BBC Sport confirms that talks are ongoing between Arsenal and Real Sociedad.

Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino celebrates scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on March 5, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino celebrates scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on March 5, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

David Ornstein of The Athletic confirmed this week that Arsenal were stepping up efforts to sign Merino, with talks ongoing and Edu Gaspar travelling to Spain to pursue an agreement.

Ornstein added that Arsenal were confident of a positive resolution, with Merino himself keen to join and personal terms not thought to be an issue.

Sociedad have offered Merino a new contract, with his current deal expiring in 12 months, but his representatives have made it clear that the player’s intention is to join Arsenal.

STUTTGART, GERMANY - JULY 05: Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
STUTTGART, GERMANY: Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Merino made 45 appearances for Sociedad last season, scoring eight goals and assisting a further five. He then joined up with Spain on international duty, featuring throughout Euro 2024 as his team ended up winning the trophy.