Report: Arsenal have higher chance of signing 'world-class' £20m player than his teammate right now

Arsenal’s quest to find a new midfielder is ongoing and they are looking at signing two players from the same club right now.

The Gunners spent big to land Declan Rice last summer but as the season progressed and he excelled further forward, Arsenal have become enamoured by finding another deep midfielder.

Of course, there are a number of midfielders out there who Arsenal could make a move for.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is on Arsenal’s radar, although there are reports that Zubimendi has little interest in joining the Gunners right now.

However, it is not just Zubimendi who Arsenal are chasing when it comes to Spanish midfielders.

And according to reports, they are more likely to sign his club and international teammate, Mikel Merino, as it stands.

Arsenal more likely to sign Mikel Merino than Martin Zubimendi

According to a report from The Times, Arsenal like the idea of signing one of Zubimendi or Merino.

However, sources from Sociedad suggest that a move for Merino is the more likely of the two at the moment.

Merino is into the last 12 months of his contract and that has apparently opened the door for Arsenal to make their move for the Euro 2024 winner.

Previous reports have suggested Arsenal will ramp up their efforts to sign Merino now that the Euros is over.

Merino has recently hinted he’d be open to moving on this summer as well, giving Arsenal further encouragement in their pursuit,

Unlike the £60m value on Zubimendi’s head, Merino is thought to be available for closer to the £20m mark.

For Arsenal, who are now being careful with their finances after seeing teams punished last season, would much rather spend less than more at the moment.

Dubbed a ‘world-class‘ operator by Kieran Tierney, the signing of Merino would very much allow Declan Rice to venture further forward in Arsenal’s midfield.