Arsenal have already decided next four transfer deals after signing Mikel Merino

Arsenal are already planning their next four transfer deals after finalising the signing of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, with Mikel Arteta set for a brutal last-minute clearout.

The Gunners have clinched their fourth deal of the summer after reaching an agreement with their Basque counterparts. They will pay an initial £27million for Merino, plus a further £4.25m could be paid in add-ons.

The former Newcastle midfielder will sign a four-year deal to June 2028 with the north London outfit to follow David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori and Tommy Setford in joining the club permanently.

After spending around £85m this summer, Arsenal are looking to offset some of their business by selling fringe players in the squad.

That could free up some funds to make a late move in the transfer market for a striker, although Viktor Gyokeres’ mooted switch to the Emirates looks less likely with every day that passes.

But cut-price targets such as Ivan Toney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who have entered the final year of their respective contracts, may represent realistic and affordable options to replace Eddie Nketiah.

Arsenal have already sold Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham earlier in August for £34m and he could be joined by another London Colney graduate in heading for the exit, with Nketiah poised to clinch a £25m plus £5m switch to Crystal Palace.

The 25-year-old turned down Nottingham Forest and Marseille earlier in the transfer window, but Palace could offer the one-time England international the first-team minutes he has been craving.

Selling Nketiah does at least solve one problem for Arteta and Edu, as they are set to balance the books against their acquisition of Spain international Merino, who is currently waiting for his move to be approved.

Nketiah’s departure also counts towards the club adhering to PSR regulations as he came through the club’s academy at London Colney. His sale can therefore be registered into the club’s accounts as a ‘pure profit’ sale.

The club have also given the green light to Fabio Vieira to return to former club FC Porto on a season-long loan, although the Portuguese club will not have the option to sign the attacking midfielder on a permanent deal.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is struggling to find a solution after growing unhappy with his lack of minutes under Arteta, having lost his place to Raya last season. The 26-year-old stopper has been linked with Bournemouth, but the Cherries are set to clinch a loan move for Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga instead.

According to the Daily Mail, Wolves are reportedly pursuing a potential deal and that could go right down to the wire, with only three days to go until the 11pm transfer deadline on August 30.

Arteta has proved before he prefers to have a smaller group of players to work with, with a number of guaranteed starters, and the Spaniard seems to be intent on gutting his squad before the deadline.