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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Mikel Arteta wants more steel in midfield</li><li>Pushing to sign Merino from Real Sociedad </li><li>Parlour believes Rice will benefit from Merino's incoming</li></ul>

'It's perfect!' - Declan Rice tipped to benefit from Mikel Merino's £25m move to Arsenal as Gunners legend endorses pursuit of Spain star

LaLiga

Real Sociedad

Real Valladolid

Premier League

Arsenal

Fulham

<p>Merino, currently with Real Sociedad, has an impressive track record, including a stint at Newcastle United during the 2017/18 season. His <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/mikel-merino-transfer-arsenal-struck-gold-spain-unlikely-euro-2024-hero/blt6384be776400a91d" target="_blank">recent contributions to Spain's Euro 2024 victory</a> in Germany further highlight his capabilities. Arsenal, in need of a new midfielder following Emile Smith Rowe's move to Fulham, sees Merino as a valuable addition to Mikel Arteta's squad. </p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Merino's versatility allows him to play as a left-sided No. 8 or in a double pivot, making him a strategic fit alongside Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard. He is being touted as a natural successor to Granit Xhaka, who transferred to Bayer Leverkusen last year, and Parlour's endorsement comes amid ongoing discussions between Arsenal and Real Sociedad over a £25 million (€30m/$32m) deal for the Spanish midfielder. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Speaking on the <a href="https://talksport.com/football/1994234/arsenal-ray-parlour-spain-euro-2024-mikel-merino-transfer-news/" target="_blank">talkSPORT Breakfast Show</a>, Parlour said: "They're looking at Thomas Partey, he might be on his way out, so they do need a little bit of strengthening in that midfield. It [Merino transfer] gives Declan Rice a little bit more license to go forward if you've got another holding midfielder in there. I know he plays like that for England in that holding role, but I like to see Declan get forward. And as I've said before, I'm a little bit of an old-fashioned midfielder, I like the box-to-box players. It's just using your common sense as a midfielder, if someone runs past you that is playing alongside you and gets forward, you just fill in for him, and vice versa, it's very, very straightforward."  </p><p>Parlour continued to praise Merino, saying, "He's a top player, performing well for both Spain and Real Sociedad. At 28, he's at an optimal age, making this a good investment for Arsenal. With £25 million, it's a solid deal, and their good relationship with Real Sociedad, especially with [Kieran] Tierney's loan, facilitates this transfer."</p>

WHAT PARLOUR SAID

<p>Merino contributed eight goals and five assists across all competitions last season and demonstrated his defensive prowess by winning the most duels in Europe's top seven leagues, totalling 326. </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Reports suggest that Real Sociedad are already preparing for Merino's departure by targeting Carlos Soler from Paris Saint-Germain as his replacement. Soler, formerly of Valencia, has struggled in France, making this move a strategic reshuffle for Sociedad. Whereas, for Arsenal, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/arsenal-mikel-merino-transfer-real-sociedad-psg/blt7cbf9b61008510d0#csda376e31359fc85a" target="_blank">acquiring a European Championship winner for €30 million is seen as a strategic masterstroke</a>. There is little doubt that Merino's addition to Arsenal's summer signings, which include<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/live/arsenal-transfer-news-and-rumours-today/bltf2c8f2dd89b3bb64" target="_blank"> David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori, </a>will strengthen the squad significantly as they aim to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title. </p>

WHAT NEXT?

'It's perfect!' - Declan Rice tipped to benefit from Mikel Merino's £25m move to Arsenal as Gunners legend endorses pursuit of Spain star | Goal.com

Declan Rice has been tipped by Arsenal legend Ray Parlour to benefit from Mikel Merino&apos;s £25m move to the Emirates.

&apos;It&apos;s perfect!&apos; - Declan Rice tipped to benefit from Mikel Merino&apos;s £25m move to Arsenal as Gunners legend endorses pursuit of Spain star

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