Arsenal transfer news: Ivan Toney update given as Merino deal 'really close'

Arsenal are off the mark for the 2024-25 campaign after their 2-0 win over Wolves in the Premier League opener, but boss Mikel Arteta will surely think he still needs more signings to boost their title hopes.

The Gunners are hoping to finally pip rivals Man City to the Premier League crown this term after finishing second to Pep Guardiola's men in back to back seasons, with their opening day win the perfect way to start the campaign.

But after already signing David Raya permanently and Ricardo Calafiori, Arsenal fans will be hopeful that a few more deals are only round the corner as the team look to make additions that will take them to the next level.

Mirror Football has rounded up all the latest gossip and transfer rumours surrounding Arsenal with less than two weeks until the transfer window slams shut.

Arsenal target Toney left out of Brentford squad

Ivan Toney has been linked with Arsenal for a long time now and has been talked about as a major transfer target for the club this summer, especially given their clear need for a new striker.

And fans hoping to see Toney at the Emirates may have got excited after news he was left out of Brenford's squad to face Crystal Palace on Sunday after Thomas Frank said there had been "transfer interest" in his striker, with "a lot going on" with the England star.

However, the player has been reportedly targeted by Saudi Arabian club, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that the 28-year-old remains on their transfer shortlist. Toney has only a year remaining on his deal but that hasn't stopped the Bees from demanding around £60m for their talisman - with no movements as of yet for the forward from Arsenal.

Merino deal "really close"

One deal that does look close to happening - finally - is Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. Arsenal have been chasing the Spain international, who was key as his country won Euro 2024 this summer, for much of the summer and now it looks like we are just days away from an announcement.

Recent reports claimed Arsenal had agreed a deal with Sociedad, around £29.8m, following lengthy negotiations in a move that would see the former Newcastle United star join the likes of Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Martin Odegaard in the club's midfield.

Now reports claim that the move is "really close" to happening, with the two parties now working on the finer details like the structure of the payments and that the move was in the "final steps".

Williams "top choice" for Arteta

Another player who has been strongly linked with a move to the Emirates is Merino's Spain team-mate Nico Williams - the Athletic Bilbao star who made a real name for himself at Euro 2024.

Williams scored the first goal of their 2-1 final win over England, adding to his goal and assist earlier on in the tournament against Georgia, and now has clubs circling for him - including Barcelona.

While Arsenal are yet to make a move for Williams, Football London reporter Kaya Kaynak revealed Arteta was a big fan of the winger, saying: "I think the top choice is Nico Williams. Whether they can actually get that deal done is another question altogether though. He has interest from Barca, huge wage demands and would require all of his release clause to be paid upfront."