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ENGLISH Premier Soccer League giants Arsenal have officially announced Euro 2024 Spain winner and midfield maestro Mikel Merino.
The 28-year-old midfielder has signed from Real Sociedad on a four-year deal with the option of a further 12 months. Now the Gunners will look to sign a new forward before Friday’s transfer deadline.
One of boss Mikel Arteta’s prime summer targets, Merino joins off the back of winning the Euros with Spain this summer following weeks of talks with the Gunners.
Arteta said: “Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility. He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now.
“Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality. “As we all saw in the summer, Mikel is also a winner, with his strong performances throughout the Euros helping Spain win the tournament. We are delighted to welcome Mikel and his family to the club and can’t wait to start working with him.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners are set to make a late surge to sign a forward before Friday’s deadline. Elsewhere, Eddie Nketiah’s proposed £30million move to Nottingham Forest has broken down, but Crystal Palace are now said to have entered the race for the striker and a deal is close.
Nketiah handed ‘green light’
Crystal Palace and Arsenal set for a new round of talks to get Eddie Nketiah deal done.
The 25-year-old striker has struggled for playing time at the Emirates Stadium and an exit has looked on the cards for some time now.
He recently decided against the chance to join Nottingham Forest.
The transfer is expected to be around a deal worth £30million.
Vieira loan move
Arsenal have included specific requirements in Fabio Vieira’s loan move to Porto.
The midfielder will head to the Portuguese side for the 2024/25 season.
His loan fee will be based on objectives/specific conditions to match during the season.
There is also a PENALTY clause if Vieira doesn’t play 50 per cent of all the matches.
Ramsdale still in talks
Arsenal and Wolves remain in talks over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
It is expected that the England keeper will cost around £20m, which could include a loan first due to Wolves’ financial struggles.
Arsenal would prefer to complete a transfer but it may not be possible.
Ramsdale, 26, wants first-team football but is now the clear No 2 behind David Raya.
Ox back
Former Arsenal and Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is in talks to complete a shock return to the Premier League.
The midfielder, 31, has been frozen out at Turkish club Besiktas – and is one of NINE players put up for sale – after they struggled to a sixth-place finish last season.
Now, Brentford are interested in a move for the former England star.
Sheffield United are also said to be plotting an ambitious loan move for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Sterling pay-off saga
Raheem Sterling will sort out his Chelsea pay-off before trying to find a new club.
And that could prove a £70million obstacle to him quitting the club before Friday’s transfer deadline.
The winger, 29, was told just two days before the first game of the season that he has no future at Chelsea under head coach Enzo Maresca. Manchester United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and a host of other Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for the one-time England star.
Saudi Arabia’s Pro League have also expressed interest in him.
Sterling wants to stay in England’s top flight but still has three years left on a £325,000 a week contract plus bonuses.
He will accept a compromise if the overall severance package and alternative club is suitable but he will not ask for a transfer.
And that is putting pressure on Chelsea’s sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart to come up with an agreeable golden goodbye to see Sterling quit.
Liverpool ‘now lead Prem race for Osimhen’
Victor Osimhen has been linked in the past year with Arsenal as well as Manchester United – and, most recently, Chelsea.
But now it’s claimed Liverpool is the Napoli striker’s likeliest destination if he switches to the Prem.
Osimhen has reportedly ruled out switching to Saudi Arabia.
And although Chelsea have been the main movers this summer, The Times reckon Arne slot’s Liverpool are in fact best placed to recruit the Nigerian 25-year-old.
Arteta hints at striker target
Mikel Arteta claims he is still “short” of striking options.
That’s the Arsenal manager’s clearest hint he might target more than just the signing of midfielder Mikel Merino before Friday’s transfer deadline.
Discussing his frontline options after Saturday’s 2-0 win at Aston Villa, Arteta said: “We are a little bit short.
“If we can do something we will do it but at the moment we love the ones we have, they are really, really good.” (www.thesun.co.uk/)
Online Reporter