Gunners 'agree' Mikel Merino deal and make three-man striker shortlist

Arsenal's Premier League season is set to get underway this afternoon as Mikel Arteta and co launch a new campaign at winning the title.

The Gunners have made one senior signing this summer in the shape of Riccardo Calafiori, in addition to making David Raya's stay at the Emirates permanent. With shy of two weeks remaining of the transfer window, there could yet be more work to do.

The north London side have long tracked Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino to strengthen their midfield this summer. The Spanish international is in the final year of his contract with the Basque side.

The possibility of moving for a forward has been speculated on throughout 2024 too. Could Arsenal pull the trigger by the end of the month?

Mirror Football takes a look at some of the biggest transfer stories around the club at the moment.

Mikel Arteta offers transfer update

The Arsenal boss refused to be drawn on any progress to sign Merino but revealed that the club's summer plan was to take advantage of opportunities that came up in the transfer window. The former Everton and Rangers midfielder did not provide the most reassuring words for anyone hoping for more new additions as he remained coy however.

"The market is open and things can happen," he offered. "After the season we had two objectives – the main and most important one is make sure we are still in love with our players Then, OK if there are still opportunities in the market we will look at them."

Striker shortlist

Reports suggest Arsenal still have three names on the striker shortlist with the days counting down until the end of the transfer window. Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez, Sportings' Viktor Gyokeres and Brighton's Evan Ferguson are under consideration.

A sale would be required to action any such move it is said. Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah are still expected to leave the club this summer.

Gyokeres is now believed to be available for between £50-60million after initially being valued at £80m. Gimenez on the other hand has been given a £42.5m price-tag. Ferguson would likely prove more expensive with possible competition from Manchester United and Chelsea.

Arteta does not appear to subscribe to the suggest that his team is desperate for a forward however. The Gunners boss is pleased to have Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz at his disposal.

"We have great strikers already, we have a great attacking line and I’m really pleased with it," he said.

Mikel Merino latest

The Gunners have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. After days of negotiations, Arsenal have now agreed a deal for the Spaniard and will pay a £29.8m fee, per Radio Marca Donostia via Sport Witness.

Arsenal are already said to have agreed personal terms for the Euro 2024 winner and had seen some hold-up in debating the structure of payments to secure Merino's signature from Sociedad. It appears that hurdle may now at least be very close to being overcome.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Arteta proved an important factor for Merino. "The contract is ready," he said.

"The player wants to work for Mikel Arteta, and is really attracted by the technical project and by the manager. He believes that Arteta is the perfect coach for his skills."