The north London giants are searching for a new midfielder this summer and they have already opened talks with the representatives of Merino.

It is now reported that Merino has verbally agreed terms over a four-year contract and the Gunners will open talks with Sociedad in the near future.

Sociedad have offered a new contract extension to the 28-year-old, but the La Liga outfit are aware that Merino wants to pursue a bigger challenge.

Merino should be tempted to return to the Premier League, having previously failed to make an impression in his one-year spell at Newcastle .

He has grown leaps and bounds from his time at the Magpies in 2017/18 and would be a quality summer acquisition for Mikel Arteta 's side.

Aside from Merino, there has been speculation that the Gunners are also keen on signing his compatriot Fabian Ruiz from Paris Saint-Germain.

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