Real Sociedad want to keep at least one of Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi, but they may have no choice but to lose both, according to a report.

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad passes the ball whilst under pressure from Warren Zaire-Emery of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain at Reale Arena on March 05, 2024. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad passes the ball whilst under pressure from Warren Zaire-Emery of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain at Reale Arena on March 05, 2024. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Noticias de Gipuzkoa report that Real Sociedad have set a deadline of Wednesday for Martin Zubimendi to make a decision on a potential transfer to Liverpool, as they’re worried about losing him close to the end of the summer transfer window.

The key problem for Sociedad is that they’re expecting Arsenal to come in with a bid for Mikel Merino, but the Gunners haven’t yet made a conclusive offer for the player.

MALLORCA, SPAIN: Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Mallorca and Real Sociedad at Estadi de Son Moix on February 18, 2024. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
MALLORCA, SPAIN: Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Mallorca and Real Sociedad at Estadi de Son Moix on February 18, 2024. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

As a result, it seems relatively likely that Zubimendi could decide to join Liverpool this week, and Arsenal could then make an offer to sign Merino.

Sociedad have assured Merino that he will be allowed to leave for a reasonable offer, and the player is keen to join Arsenal, so they’d be compelled to keep their word. But by doing so, they’d end up losing both players.

The La Liga club tried to avoid this scenario by offering both players new contracts, but neither has signed an extension at this stage.

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)

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.