Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2024: Tickets set to go live

Talking tactics: Something meaningful forming for Poch, USMNT

Barca legends to take on Real Madrid legends in Doha

Van Nistelrooy applies for head coach role with English club

Wright accuses Man Utd of not caring enough about women's team

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Kroos opens door to Real Madrid return 

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Arsenal and Sociedad in talks over Merino deal</li><li>Midfielder left out of squad for La Liga clash</li><li>Has already agreed personal terms with Gunners</li></ul>

Arsenal move incoming? Mikel Merino left OUT of Real Sociedad squad for La Liga opener as Gunners ramp up transfer efforts

Copa del Rey

Jove Espanol

Real Sociedad

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

<p>It was reported on Friday that the Gunners are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/arsenal-in-advanced-talks-for-mikel-merino-as-gunners-close-in-on-gbp30m-transfer-real-sociedad-star/blta3d858eee055cb60" target="_blank">close to an agreement with the Basque club over a £29.8 million ($39m) transfer fee</a> for the midfielder. With Sociedad set to take on Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in their first match of the new campaign, they have left the Spain international out of the squad.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📋 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 for tomorrow’s match. AUPA REAL!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RealSociedadRayo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RealSociedadRayo</a> <a href="https://t.co/68jXhW1zxd">pic.twitter.com/68jXhW1zxd</a></p>— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealSociedadEN/status/1824767743473733662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>With no news of any fitness issues keeping him out, the latest development has been taken as confirmation that the 28-year-old will soon be confirmed as a new addition to Mikel Arteta's squad, as it has been reported that he has already come to a personal agreement with the north London club.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The Premier League side were not the only team interested in signing Merino this summer. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/barcelona-spain-euro-2024-mikel-merino/blt8aaa69caa2bc7601" target="_blank">Barcelona had been linked with him as Hansi Flick hoped to strengthen in midfield</a> ahead of his debut season at the Catalan club, but he has since ruled out any new arrivals.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Arsenal will kick off their Premier League season with a game at home against Wolves on Saturday. In the days afterwards, they are expected to confirm the signing of Merino.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MERINO?

Arsenal move incoming? Mikel Merino left OUT of Real Sociedad squad for La Liga opener as Gunners ramp up transfer efforts | Goal.com English Qatar

Mikel Merino has been left out of the Real Sociedad squad for their opening La Liga match of the season, suggesting a move to Arsenal is almost done.