🚨 "Excellent player" close to completing £30m Arsenal move!

It's finally close to being a done deal, this week could be crucial...

Arsenal are finally closing in on their second major signing of the summer, with Charles Watts delivering a major update on the details of this £30m deal.

Writing exclusively in his latest Daily Briefing column, Watts explained that there had been some details to discuss that slowed the Mikel Merino deal down, but this looks like being a crucial week for getting it done.

Merino’s final fee should be in the region of £30m, according to Watts, who has also provided insight into what the signing could mean for Thomas Partey.

“This could be the week that the Mikel Merino deal finally takes a big step forward,” Watts wrote.

“I can’t say yet what the final fee will end up being, but it looks like being around the £30million mark. It looks like being a good deal for Arsenal, who will be getting an excellent player … but it also looks like being a good one for Sociedad given Merino is now into the final year of his contract.”

Merino transfer and what it means for Partey’s Arsenal future

On how Merino impacts Partey, Watts added: “If Merino arrives, it will be Partey who will ultimately see his role in the side drop off a bit.

“Merino looks tailor made for the left eight role that Rice is currently playing in. Arsenal have been looking for a long-term answer to that position after the Kai Havertz experiment failed. Rice has played well there since Havertz has been moved up front, but Merino naturally looks a better fit in that position.

“It might take a few weeks as he is given time to settle in, but I would be surprised if that’s not where Arteta uses him long-term, with Rice then dropping back into the No.6 role.”

But is anyone showing an interest in Partey at the moment? Read Charles Watts’ column in full to find out!

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