Arsenal ready to offset Mikel Merino transfer with ‘major’ sale just days into Premier League season

4 months ago 50

ARSENAL are ready to ship out players to balance the books as they close in on Mikel Merino.

The Spanish midfielder, 28, missed Real Sociedad’s LaLiga opener and club chiefs have confirmed they are in talks over a transfer.

a man in a black sweater stands in front of a crowd

Mikel Arteta is putting the finishing touches on his squad[/caption]

a soccer player with the number 6 on his jersey

Mikel Merino would be a huge signing in midfield[/caption]

two soccer players wearing emirates fly better jerseys pose for a picture

Aaron Ramsdale and Eddie Nketiah are on the chopping block[/caption]

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After a £21.5million offer was snubbed, the Gunners are preparing a £30m package to seal a deal.

But they are aware of their Premier League rivals falling foul of profitability and sustainability rules, so are looking to offset the purchase with a “major sale”, claim The Athletic.

Nottingham Forest are chasing a move for Eddie Nketiah, with Arsenal wanting at least £30m to sanction an exit.

And The Athletic report that Wolves have offered to take Aaron Ramsdale on loan with an option to buy next summer.

The North Londoners are keen to secure a permanent transfer instead.

Academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe netted the Gunners £34m in profit when he joined Fulham.

While Brooke Norton-Cuffy moved to Genoa for over £3.5m in a deal that includes a sell-on fee.

Former Newcastle ace Merino has one year remaining on his contract and played a pivotal role for Spain in Germany this summer.

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Ivan Toney was left out of Brentford’s opening match of the 2024/25 Premier League season due to transfer interest from elsewhere.

Newcastle have reportedly made a fourth bid worth £65million for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Chelsea are in talks with Atletico Madrid regarding a permanent move for Joao Felix.

Should an agreement be reached, it could resurrect the sale of Conor Gallagher to the Spanish giants.

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Last season the midfielder made 45 appearances across all competitions for Sociedad, scoring eight goals.

Sporting director Edu has flown out to Spain to help get a move over the line.

And Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has confirmed that talks are underway with the Gunners and a deal is possible.

According to journalist Chris Wheatley, he said: “Unfortunately, one of the teams we didn’t want to show up showed up [Arsenal].

“When we consider that the offer is good, we will say yes.

“We know what Merino’s wishes are, so we decided not to call him up [to the squad].”

The Gunners have already secured Italian international defender Riccardo Calafiori for £42m and made David Raya’s loan move from Brentford permanent.

Meet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendant

Tolami Benson – partner of Bukayo Saka

Benson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.

They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.

Helene Spilling – partner of Martin Odegaard

A professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023.

Sophie Weber – partner of Kai Havertz

Weber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.

They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.

Milly White – partner of Ben White

The couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.

Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro Trossard

The pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.

They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.

Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan Rice

Lauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.

She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.

Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron Ramsdale

Georgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.

The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.

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