Arsenal set their next transfer target after Calafiori

Arsenal will turn to Mikel Merino after signing Riccardo Calafiori, but only once Emile Smith Rowe leaves for Fulham.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal are prepared to advance in talks with Mikel Merino’s camp next week, having already had positive conversations with the player’s representatives.

The Gunners are currently focusing on completing the signing of Riccardo Calafiori, and the sale of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham. Once both of those deals are done, Romano claims Arsenal will then focus on Merino.

At this stage, Arsenal haven’t placed a bid for Merino, and there’s rival interest in him from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Real Sociedad’s asking price will be pivotal.

But if the move doesn’t work out, the Gunners have other names on their shortlist.

Arsenal’s move for Merino was reportedly initially delayed by the Euros, with the midfielder away with Spain at the tournament.

After the competition ended, Sam Dean suggested Arsenal could be set to step up their interest in the player, who they’ve been watching for a while now.

There were suggestions of a £20m price tag, yet with the Gunners still to open club-to-club talks, it’s hard to know for sure how accurate that figure is.

Merino made 45 appearances for Real Sociedad in 2023/24, scoring eight goals and assisting a further four.

The midfielder previously played in the Premier League with Newcastle United for a season, making 25 appearances in 2017/18 before moving on to La Liga.

The midfielder was a regular for Spain at Euro 2024, appearing in every game as they won the trophy – albeit largely coming off the bench. He had a pivotal impact in the quarter-final against Germany, scoring the winning goal.