Arsenal to pair Declan Rice with amazing Spanish star (2024)

Arsenal have not yet made a new signing in this transfer market. The only activity club has done so far is making David Raya a permanent player. The Gunners are not the only club who has operated slow in this market. A lot of clubs have not made any signings yet. The reason was ongoing Euro 2024 and the Copa America. Now that the tournaments are over, the clubs can speed up their signing process. Arsenal want to find a partner for Declan Rice this summer. Many names were linked with the club over the time. However, no deal has been advanced as per now.

Gunners were linked with Martin Zubimendi at first. However, Zubimendi does not want to leave his home Spain. Arsenal then looked towards Douglas Luiz. But they had to face rejection once again. Douglas Luiz has joined Juventus from Aston Villa. Arsenal were also one of the clubs to join the race for Joao Neves. However, the price of Portuguese youngster is way to high. Now, the Premier League runner ups are linked with Mikel Merino. This time it is looking concrete. Mikel Arteta is prepared to part ways with Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey. The club needs to balance their financial books too along with signing new stars.

The North London club wants to fill several other positions too. Sporting director Edu wants left back as well as a striker. Riccardo Calafiori is the name very heavily linked with the club. The deal is almost done and could be announced soon. The Italian can play as a left back as well as a central defender.

Mikel Merino ready to leave Real Sociedad

According to Mundo Deportivo, Mikel Merino is likely to leave Real Sociedad this summer. His current contract expires next year. He is unlikely to extend and is ready to move to Premier League. The Spanish club is demanding around £34 million for the midfielder. Along with Arsenal, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also interested in Merino who defeated Arsenal star Declan Rice’s national team in final. Atletico are reported to move for Merino along with his club and country teammate Robin Le Normand.

Mikel Merino impressed a lot last season with Real Sociedad. He then continued his great form in Euro 2024 too. Merino played a crucial role for his country in their Euro triumph. He scored the winning goal against Germany in quarter final. His stats have been amazing in 2023/24 season. He played 45 matches across all competitions for Real Sociedad. In those he scored 8 goals along with assisting 5 goals. Merino played 32 La Liga matches in the 2023/24 season. He is the only player across top seven league who has won more than 300 duels. Merino won 326 ground duels. In addition, he won 168 ariel duels.

Mikel Merino and Declan Rice – new midfield pair for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta will pair Merino with Rice if he arrives. Declan Rice played as holding midfielder after his arrival to North London last year. Arsenal paid £105 million for Rice. Later, Rice was used as central midfielder by Arteta. This was carried on by Gareth Southgate as well. Rice was given the number eight role in midfield for England throughout the Euro 2024 campaign.

Arrival of Merino could give Rice an opportunity to play even further and establish himself as a proper number eight. Declan scored 7 goals and provided 10 assists in 51 appearances for Arsenal last term. He averaged a goal involvement every three games. Rice only played 19 games as number eight out of those 51 appearances he made.

Merino could provide a solid stability as a holding midfielder. This will provide Rice more time playing as number eight. Surely this will increase Rice’s attacking output. However don’t be surprised if the roles are reversed. Mikel Merino primarily plays at center midfield. On the other hand, Declan Rice is stated as defensive midfielder. One thing is for sure is that Arteta will have a lot of quality options to choose from next season.

A trusted source on GoonerNews.com

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