Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'receive boost' in Mikel Merino pursuit

The Gunners have made it one of their priorities to sign a new midfielder this summer despite recruiting Declan Rice in a club-record deal last summer.

Arsenal have already seen Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga depart, while Emile Smith Rowe is on the verge of completing a move to fellow London club Fulham.

With space opening up in the midfield department, Arsenal have been linked with a number of names, including Douglas Luiz, Amadou Onana and Martin Zubimendi.

However, Zubimendi's Real Sociedad teammate Merino has seemingly emerged as Arsenal's priority target, with the Gunners on the verge of reaching an agreement with the Basque side.

Arsenal receive boost in Merino pursuit

The Gunners have now received a boost in their quest to bring the former Newcastle United man back to the Premier League.

As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, Real Sociedad have completed the signing of Croatian midfielder Luka Sucic from Red Bull Salzburg.

Real Sociedad have agreed a €10m (£8.5m) transfer with the Austrian side, who have included a 10% sell-on clause in the deal.

Sucic has completed his medical with Real Sociedad and will sign a long-term contract to keep at the club until June 2029.

Romano previously suggested that Real Sociedad had identified Sucic as a replacement for Merino, who has entered the final 12 months of his contract.

Sucic to facilitate Merino move

With Sucic set to bolster Imanol Alguacil's midfield options, it appears to be only a matter of time before Merino leaves the Reale Arena for the Emirates Stadium.

The two clubs simply have to reach a final agreement over a fee, before Merino can be unveiled as a new member of Mikel Arteta's squad.

The midfielder, who was part of Spain's Euro 2024 winning squad, is seemingly poised to leave Real Sociedad six years after arriving from an underwhelming spell with Newcastle.

Merino has since gone on to make 242 competitive appearances for La Real, contributing 27 goals and 30 assists as well as helping the club win the Copa del Rey in 2019-20.

If he does return to the Premier League, Merino will likely be utilised in a midfield trio with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.