Real Sociedad reject Arsenal's €35m offer for Mikel Merino

Arsenal have strengthened their defensive line with Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for 45 million euros and have secured their goalkeeper by paying the option to buy David Raya for 31.9 million euros to Brentford, but they also want to shore up their midfield. The problem is that Real Sociedad do not intend to let Mikel Arteta's target Mikel Merino leave unless it is for a little over 40 million euros.
'Deportes COPE Gipuzkoa' reports that the Anoeta board have rejected a 35+5 proposal from the Emirates Stadium offices. Although the European Championship winner with the Spanish national team only has one year left on his contract, the owners of his contract have no intention of allowing him to leave unless it is for a good price, especially as they are aware of the high level of the coffers in the Premier League.
The 'La Roja' international wants to sign for the Gunners, as he would find it an interesting challenge for his career to return to England, where he played for Newcastle when he was not yet established in the top flight. Now, he boasts a profile that the London outfit want to exploit in order for their midfield to gain lustre in their head-to-head for the domestic title with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who are more than adept at this kind of football.
The aforementioned broadcaster claims that the feelings around Mikel Merino are positive: there should be an agreement soon for his move to Arsenal. For Real Sociedad, it will be the most pleasant for their budgets, as the former Osasuna man arrived in San Sebastian in the summer of 2018 for 12 million euros from St James' Park and has more than justified that investment over the last few seasons.