Mikel Merino is the ‘excellent’ participant to go with Declan Rice within the coronary heart of Arsenal’s midfield.
That’s in line with Gunners Invincible Ray Parlour, who has given his former employers his seal of approval of their pursuit of the Actual Sociedad star.
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talkSPORT understands that Arsenal and the LaLiga outfit are in talks relating to a summer season switch for the 28-year-old in a attainable deal upwards of £25million.
Merino, who spent the 2017/18 season at Newcastle, featured in all of Spain’s Euro 2024 matches to assist them carry the trophy in Germany.
And he might now slot into Mikel Arteta’s line-up, with the membership out there for a brand new midfielder following Emile Smith Rowe’s transfer to Fulham.
Able to taking part in as a left-sided No.8 or in a double pivot, it’s anticipated he’ll play alongside Declan Rice and skipper Martin Odegaard ought to he signal.
Recognized because the pure substitute for Granit Xhaka, who was bought to Bayer Leverkusen final 12 months, Parlour believes a possible switch could be an ideal little bit of enterprise.
Talking on the talkSPORT Breakfast Present, Parlour insisted that his attainable arrival might additionally sign the tip of Thomas Partey’s profession in north London, whereas permitting Rice to proceed to roam ahead.
He mentioned: “They’re Thomas Partey, he could be on his method out, so that they do want just a little little bit of strengthening in that midfield.
“It [Merino transfer] provides Declan Rice just a little bit extra license to go ahead in case you’ve received one other holding midfielder in there.
“I do know he performs like that for England in that holding function, however I prefer to see Declan get ahead.
“And as I’ve mentioned earlier than, I am just a little little bit of an old school midfielder, I just like the box-to-box gamers.
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“It is simply utilizing your frequent sense as a midfielder, if somebody runs previous you that’s taking part in alongside you and will get ahead, you simply fill in for him, and vice versa, it is very, very easy.”
And Merino matches the invoice in that regard, with the ex-Borussia Dortmund man chipping in with eight targets and 5 assists in all competitions final time period.
In the meantime, he confirmed his defensive talents by successful essentially the most duels out of any participant in Europe’s prime seven leagues final marketing campaign with 326.
Parlour continued: “Merino, he is a prime participant, he is performed effectively for Spain and Actual Sociedad.
“He is age at 28, it is excellent, he ought to be in his prime at that form of time.
“And Arsenal have mentioned, ‘at £25m, it is a respectable deal.’
“I feel they’ve relationship with Actual Sociedad anyway with [Kieran] Tierney going there on mortgage.”
Parlour then acknowledged all that’s lacking now for Arsenal is to herald a prime centre-forward within the membership’s quest to win a primary Premier League title since 2004, which the ‘Romford Pele’ was part of.
He remarked: “I am positive if they’ll get in a No.9 as effectively, it provides them an ideal likelihood.
“However look, Man Metropolis will nonetheless be favourites to win the league.”
