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Manchester City

Manchester United

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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<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>Merino stars for Real Sociedad &amp; Spain</li><li>Midfielder's form attracts interest from Arsenal</li><li>£25m ($31.8m) deal far from a foregone conclusion</li></ul>

Why members of Arsenal hierarchy are uncertain about £25m Mikel Merino deal with transfer for Spain Euro 2024 star not as advanced as first thought - explained

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Arsenal have been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mikel-merino-transfer-arsenal-struck-gold-spain-unlikely-euro-2024-hero/blt6384be776400a91d" target="_blank">linked with the 28-year-old</a> for many weeks now but despite rumours of a move to the Emirates, he is still a Real Sociedad player. The midfielder is in the last year of his contract and reportedly can be signed for approximately <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/declan-rice-mikel-merino-arsenal-gunners/blta81725c6bb55c625#cs50b5d1b069ab0853" target="_blank">£25 million ($31.8m)</a>. So why haven't Mikel Arteta's men snapped him up yet?

WHAT HAPPENED?

According to <a href="https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/mikel-merino-arsenal-transfer-takes-29674415#comments-wrapper" target="_blank">Football London</a>, some of the key decision-makers on Arsenal's transfers are 'huge fans' of Merino but others are concerned about his age profile. Under Arteta, the club has tended to sign young, up-and-coming players - with Jorginho (32), and Leandro Trossard (29) notable exceptions. The Spaniard would be seen as a 'here and now' signing, rather than one for the future. But despite the interest, talk of a verbal bid is reportedly wide of the mark; even if contact has been made with the player's representatives.

THE EXPLANATION

Last month, Sociedad reportedly offered the 6ft 2in Merino a new contract to stay at the La Liga outfit. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have also been linked to the former Newcastle United man, but he is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-bh/lists/arsenal-transfer-boost-mikel-merino-move-to-emirates-instead-of-barcelona-move/blt4a14bac96d46ddca#cs393ab8062d7820bd" target="_blank">said to prefer a move to Arsenal</a>.

DID YOU KNOW?

Merino's Sociedad side are next in pre-season action against Union Berlin on Friday, before the new La Liga campaign starts on August 18. It is somewhat up in the air as to whether or not he will still be at the Spanish outfit by then.

WHAT NEXT?

Why members of Arsenal hierarchy are uncertain about £25m Mikel Merino deal with transfer for Spain Euro 2024 star not as advanced as first thought - explained | Goal.com South Africa

Members of Arsenal&apos;s hierachy reportedly have reservations about signing Real Sociedad and Spain star Mikel Merino this summer.