Charles Watts has very latest update on Mikel Merino to Arsenal as the clock starts ticking

Arsenal remain locked in talks to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad but have thus far been unable to agree a fee with the La Liga side.

Merino agreed personal terms with the Gunners last month and is yet to feature for Real Sociedad this season due to the speculation surrounding his future.

Fabrizio Romano ‘fully expects’ Merino to become an Arsenal player before deadline day, which is a sign that things are heading in the right direction.

Now, Charles Watts has had his say on the transfer as Arsenal wait to make the Spaniard their second major signing of the summer.

Real Sociedad president in England to hold talks with Arsenal for Mikel Merino

Watts re-affirmed claims that the coming week will be crucial in the Merino saga, confirming that the Real Sociedad president is currently in England to thrash out a deal.

“The Real Sociedad president has flown into England for talks with Arsenal,” Watts said on his YouTube channel.

“It’s been a deal that’s been dragging on a while but this was always going to be the week where things really started to move.”

Watts believes that while all parties remain committed to agreeing a deal, Arsenal will not overpay for a player they can snap up for free next summer.

He continued: “Sociedad are trying to get as much money as possible which is totally understandable, but he’s only got a year left on his deal so you can understand where Arsenal are coming from.

“The clock is beginning to tick with Mikel Merino and Arsenal.”

How Merino would fit in at Arsenal

With Jorginho well into his 30s and Thomas Partey struggling with injuries in recent seasons, Arsenal need another reliable player in the centre of the park to complement Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Merino certainly fits the billing, with the midfielder set to bring with him bags of experience to the Emirates Stadium.

No player has won more duels than Merino (1663) since his Sociedad debut in 2018, making him the ideal candidate to bring the best out of Odegaard’s creativity and Rice’s industry.

The 29-year-old is also no stranger to the Premier League, having spent the 2017-18 season on loan at Newcastle United under Rafa Benitez.

Merino would tick a lot of boxes for Arsenal but with the transfer window edging closer to slamming shut, they are running out of time to get a deal done.

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