If a report by SPORT is to be believed then Real Madrid are not going to launch a bid to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino which makes Arsenal and Barcelona the two favourites to land the 28-year-old.
Mikel Merino joined Sociedad in 2018 from Newcastle United and over the years, the midfielder has turned himself into one of the most important players at the club. His top-class performances have caught the attention of some of the big European clubs however, it seems like Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid have no interest in him.
The Los Blancos have seen the departure of Toni Kroos which means Perez is looking to bring in a like-for-like replacement but there’s no way Madrid will want someone like Merino to fill the shoes of the German legend.
Real Sociedad had paid only €12 million for the midfielder and in six years, he has scored 27 goals along with 30 assists in 242 appearances for the club and last season 8 goal contributions even though he is a central midfielder. On the defensive side, the Spanish international won 60% of his tackles while making 197 recovery runs. His contract with Sociedad expires in 2025 and if the midfielder does not sign a new deal, the club will offload him for a fee of around €30 million.
Which club is more likely to sign Mikel Merino?
Now that Real Madrid have dropped their interest, many think Arsenal are standing at the front of the queue. Paying €30 million should not be a problem for the Premier League club more so cause Mikel Arteta is desperately in need of a new central midfielder.
However, his previous stint in England did not go so well which is why some rumours are suggesting that Mikel Merino wants to remain in Spain with Barcelona and also Atletico Madrid interested in him.
Atletico Madrid have already made an undervalued offer for Mikel Merino which has been promptly rejected by Sociedad and if Barcelona can somehow gather around €30 million they have a great chance of landing him.
The Sociedad man certainly fits into the price point for Barca to be interested but we don’t think they will want to sign him the 28-year-old. They already have players like Pedri, Gavi, Fermin Lopez and De Jong so it makes no sense for the club to spend so much money on yet another central midfielder.
Hansi Flick needs to sign a new attacking midfielder, a new defender, a new winger and a new right-back before the 24/25 season begins and for all these moves to happen, the Catalans need at least €100-120 million so it makes no sense that Deco and co will be ready to spend €30-odd million on Mikel Merino.
Someone like Merino can be the ideal long-term replacement for Thomas Partey if the midfielder is willing to give the Premier League one more shot, the Gunners will happily have him on board.
