Euro 2024 winner to be offered 'lifetime contract' by Liverpool's Premier League rivals

Arsenal are ready to offer Spain Euro 2024 star Mikel Merino the ‘deal of a lifetime’ to bring him back to the Premier League.

According to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, the Gunners are interested in the Real Sociedad midfielder, who would be an ideal addition to their team. They would even be ready to offer a big contract to convince him to join the Emirates Stadium.

However, Arsenal face stiff competition from Aston Villa and Barcelona. Merino, 28, has just one year left on his current contract with Sociedad and has a £56 million ($72.6 million) release clause. He joined the club from Newcastle in 2018 and has since played 242 games, won the Copa del Rey in 2020 and earned 28 caps for Spain.

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His performances at Euro 2024, including his decisive extra-time goal against Germany in the quarter-final, have only increased his appeal. The Gunners will hope their pursuit of Merino proves more successful than their attempts to sign Sociedad team-mate Martin Zubimendi, who has been regularly linked with a move to the Emirates but now looks set to remain in San Sebastian.

Reports from Spain had previously suggested he had turned down a move to north London, but Zubimendi himself has spoken about his future, making it clear he is not looking to move at the moment.

“They are just rumours, I am happy at Real Sociedad, it is like home,” he said. “I can’t say that I will play my whole career at Real Sociedad, maybe the club won’t want me to continue in the future. But I don’t worry about these rumours.”

Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil has also expressed confidence in Zubimendi’s signing. Last season, he confidently stated: “Martin Zubimendi wants to stay here and he will certainly stay with us at Real Sociedad next season. I have no doubt, he will stay with us.”