Arsenal are reportedly increasingly nervous about missing out on Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino due to Liverpool now making progress on the transfer of his teammate Martin Zubimendi.
Merino has been a top target for the Gunners for much of this summer, while he’s also been linked with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at points, though with most sources now claiming the Emirates Stadium would be his preferred destination.
According to reports in Spain, however, Liverpool’s pursuit of Zubimendi now has Arsenal worried as it remains to be seen if Sociedad will be ready to sell both these important players in one window.
Liverpool are believed to be ready to pay Zubimendi’s release clause in full, and are just working to persuade the Spain international to move to Anfield after he’s previously shown a reluctance to move abroad.
It seems things might be moving in the right direction for LFC, though, with Arsenal now worried it could cost them the Merino deal.
Merino transfer: Arsenal to up their bid in response to Liverpool’s Zubimendi pursuit
It’s now claimed Arsenal are ready to make an improved offer for Merino imminently as they fear Liverpool getting to Zubimendi first.
It will be interesting to see if the north London giants can get this over the line, with other midfield targets of theirs also getting away from them this summer, with Douglas Luiz moving to Juventus and Amadou Onana joining Aston Villa.
Bruno Guimaraes has also been linked but looks set to stay at Newcastle, so Merino now looks the best option and is available for a decent price due to being in the final year of his Sociedad contract.
Arsenal were previously thought to be offering around £17m for the 28-year-old, but it might be that something closer to £25m will be needed to finally get this deal done.