Reports in Spain state that Arsenal has communicated to Real Sociedad their refusal to sell Mikel Merino to them for €35 million (£29.8 million).
Arsenal’s midfield has to be strengthened, and Mikel Arteta has made Merino his top priority. However, the Gunners and Real Sociedad are still in negotiations on a move for the 28-year-old.
Arsenal isn’t offering Real Sociedad anything for Merino, but they also won’t match Atletico Madrid’s €35 million (£29.8 million) offer for the Basque player, according to El Diario Vasco, a daily published in San Sebastian.
Arsenal believes Merino’s asking price is too much for a player whose contract expires at the conclusion of the current campaign, according to the report.
Merino, meanwhile, has asked to leave Real Sociedad but Arsenal could now walk away from a deal unless the midfielder’s asking price is reduced.
The midfielder returned to training with Real Sociedad last week having been a part of Spain’s squad for their successful Euro 2024 campaign earlier this summer.
When asked about his future in June, Merino said: ‘The next step has to come from within, from me, from analysing myself, seeing what player I am now, where I am and where I want to go. And what is the way to do it.’
Elsewhere, Real Sociedad were handed a major boost on Monday as Martin Zubimendi turned down a move to Liverpool.
The 25-year-old, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal, was Liverpool’s priority midfield target for the summer transfer window.
But the Spain international has rejected the chance to join Arne Slot’s side and will spend at least another season with Real Sociedad.
Zubimendi currently has a €60m (£51m) buyout clause as part of his deal with the Basque side.