Despite reports linking Mikel Merino to Arsenal, Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil maintains the midfielder’still belongs’ to the club and will be ‘with the team to the grave’.
According to reports from Spain on Friday, Arsenal and Sociedad have reached an agreement in principle for Merino worth over £30 million, with the Gunners desperate to complete the acquisition before the transfer deadline.
Riccardo Calafiori is Arsenal’s only new signing this summer, following David Raya’s permanent move from Brentford, and Merino has been designated as the club’s top midfield target.
Read Also:Ancelotti Criticizes Real Madrid Performance In Laliga Opener
Merino was subsequently excluded from Sociedad’s matchday squad for the side’s 2-1 defeat at home to Real Vallecano on Sunday, adding to speculation that a switch to the Emirates could be imminent.
Alguacil revealed in his pre-match press conference on the day of the game that Merino was fit and available, but that ‘open negotiations’ with Arsenal were ongoing.
Alguacil was again pressed for an update on Merino and Martin Zubimendi’s situations prior to Sociedad’s loss, and the Spaniard was clear in his response.
‘Both are here; one is not on the list, while the other is on the squad,’ the Sociedad head coach informed Spanish media.
‘They still belong to Real and both are going to be with the team to the death.
‘Nothing changes, I said it yesterday.
‘Those of us who are here will go all out to win the game. And then we’ll see who is there for the next one.’
Alguacil stated that he just had to stick with ‘what we have’ as the transfer market remained active.
Mikel Arteta refused to comment on conjecture linking Arsenal with Merino ahead of his team’s victory over Wolves.
COMMENTS