The prospect of missing out on a crucial transfer target to Arsenal is becoming more worrisome for Barcelona. Significant changes are being made by Mikel Arteta and his staff this summer. Even while most people are focused on Euro 2024, Arsenal’s technical director Edu is working nonstop to get Arteta the players he wants.
Arsenal made an effort to acquire Benjamin Sesko, a striker for RB Leipzig, earlier in the summer. Arsenal isn’t really looking to add a striker to their roster, even if Sesko re-signed with Leipzig and this effort fell through. Arsenal did not consider Sesko’s temporary availability to be an urgent requirement, but rather a market opportunity that they could not pass on. Now that Sesko is out of the picture, Arsenal can focus on other parts of the team. One of the main reasons their championship bid last season was thwarted was their lack of depth in the squad. So this summer the club plans to address that. It would seem that replacing Thomas Partey with a star midfielder, especially a number six, is one of Arsenal’s primary transfer goals.
Barcelona reportedly fears Arsenal may buy Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino before them, according to Spanish reports. Barcelona holds Merino in great esteem. He is now playing for Spain at Euro 2024. They are also interested in Amadou Onana of Everton. Nonetheless, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona considers Arsenal to be a formidable rival in the pursuit of Merino’s signing.
Arsenal Set To Sign The ‘Best Player’ In La Liga!
Former Premier League player Merino joined Sociedad on a permanent basis in 2018. “The best player in La Liga” was a compliment he received from Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil. Merino is a versatile number six who might be a good fit for Arteta. Barcelona views Arsenal as their primary rival, although Atletico de Madrid is keeping tabs on Merino as well. Arsenal would benefit from signing Merino, even if the English media has not yet connected the two. Some Arsenal supporters may think the club should sign Martin Zubimendi. He was Merino’s teammate at Sociedad. On the other hand, Zubimendi is satisfied with his current situation at his childhood club.
Xavi Simons is another player that has Arsenal interested. While Barcelona is understandably worried about Arsenal taking Merino, the Gunners may be just as worried about Simons’s potential departure. A bidding battle is expected to break out when the young Dutch star, who is presently playing for Paris Saint-Germain, announced his intention to go after Euro 2024.
The Gunners must move swiftly if they want to include Simons in Arteta’s project, since PSG is willing to loan him out this summer. Despite the high level of competition, Arsenal’s aggressive strategy has the potential to secure a victory. The Gunners are still intent on adding to the roster, despite their changed priorities after their unsuccessful effort to acquire Sesko. The fact that Merino’s potential departure to Arsenal has Barcelona worried shows how much sway the Gunners now has in the transfer market. This summer, Arsenal might make or break their future success depending on their pursuits, including Merino and Simons.
