Arsenal know what number Mikel Merino wants but face upsetting Spanish superstar

Mikel Merino, a target for Arsenal, may have to change his preferred shirt number if he joins Mikel Arteta’s squad, as it is already taken.

The Spanish midfielder is at the top of the Gunners’ transfer wish list this summer. He had an impressive Euro 2024, helping Spain lift the trophy by defeating England 2-1 in the final – his standout moment was scoring the winning goal in the 119th minute of the quarter-final against host nation Germany.

Arteta is eager to add another player to pair with Declan Rice, and Merino has emerged as the prime candidate to become the club’s third summer signing following David Raya’s permanent move and the £42million acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori.

However, Real Sociedad, Merino’s current club, are trying to fend off interest. If a transfer does happen, his favoured number eight shirt will be unavailable, as it is currently worn by club captain Martin Odegaard.

Merino has worn his cherished number since joining Sociedad from Borussia Dortmund in 2018, but he did relinquish the number to teammate Fabian Ruiz when he wore the six for Spain at the Euros. Odegaard, meanwhile, initially took the 11 when he first arrived at the Emirates, switching to the eight a year later and has held onto the shirt number ever since.

It seems the Norwegian sensation won’t be passing the baton to Merino anytime soon, and while it might not be a deal-breaker, it’s certainly another hiccup in the transfer saga. Real Sociedad are standing firm on their stance of not selling their prized midfielder.

With Merino’s contract ticking down to its final year, the club is eager to avoid losing him for nothing next summer, yet they remain optimistic about sealing a new deal, with an offer already on the table.

Sociedad’s top brass, Jokin Aperribay, has been vocal about the situation, 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.”

Barcelona, another La Liga giant, is also reportedly keen on Merino. Pedri currently holds their number eight shirt.

Although Arsenal’s six – the number Merino wore for Spain – is already occupied by Brazilian defender Gabriel, there is a clear alternative.

During his last stint in the Premier League with Newcastle, Jonjo Shelvey held the Spaniard’s preferred number. Merino opted for the 23, which Albert Sambi-Lokonga recently left vacant at the Emirates.