Arsenal target Mikel Merino will have to swap shirt numbers should he join Mikel Arteta's side, with his preferred choice already taken.
The Spanish midfielder is atop the Gunners’ transfer wish list this summer. He enjoyed an eye-catching Euro 2024, lifting the trophy with Spain as they conquered English 2-1 in the final - his crowning moment a 119th-minute quarter-final winner against host nation Germany in the quarter-final.
Arteta is keen on adding another option to play beside Declan Rice, and Merino has emerged as the top choice to become the club's third summer signing after David Raya's permanent switch and the £42million recruitment of Riccardo Calafiori.
The 28-year-old's club Real Sociedad are trying to stave off interest, however. And if a move does materialise, his preferred number eight shirt will be a no-go, as it's currently worn by club captain Martin Odegaard.
Merino has worn his beloved number since he joined Sociedad from Borussia Dortmund in 2018, but did give up the number to team-mate Fabian Ruiz when donning the six for Spain at the Euros. Odegaard, on the other hand, initially took the 11 when he first arrived at the Emirates, switching to the eight a year later and holding the shirt number ever since.
It is a near certainty that the Norwegian wouldn't give it up to Merino, and though not hugely important, this could throw another smaller spanner into the deal. Sociedad also have no intention of selling their star midfielder. Despite Merino having just a year left on his contract and the club not wanting to lose him for free next summer, they are confident in negotiating a new deal with one offered.
The club’s president, Jokin Aperribay, believes that the club and player can strike a new agreement, telling Mundo Deportivo: “We are not in any conversation with any club to get any player to leave. We knew that the summer was going to be long, and that is how it is going to be.
"We are going to manage [it] during August. We will try to make the team come out stronger. I would like him not to leave. If he tells us that he likes any of the offers he has on the table, we will see.
"We are not negotiating with any club now. We are aware that Merino has offers, and we know them. The conversation with him and those around him has been very sincere, and hopefully, his decision is to stay.
"He already knows that we want him to stay. I think that Merino has been honest with Real Sociedad during the last year, if he has not renewed it is because he did not want to tell the fans: ‘I’m staying’ - and then leave."
Fellow La Liga side Barcelona are also reportedly interested in Merino, and if squad numbers are to go by, then Pedri holds their number eight shirt. Though Arsenal's six - the number Merino wore for Spain - is already taken by Brazilian defender Gabriel, there is an obvious alternative.
The last time he played in the Premier League for Newcastle, Jonjo Shelvey held the Spaniard's preferred number. Merino chose to wear the 23, which Albert Sambi-Lokonga recently vacated at the Emirates. If Merino does make the move, then there is clear replacement for his beloved number eight.