The transfer of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino to Arsenal may not be as close as previously reported.
Merino, part of the Spanish squad that won the Euros last month, has already agreed personal terms ahead of the move, but Sociedad have yet to receive a formal offer from the Gunners for a player who is about to enter the final career of his contract.
And now it has emerged that there are some senior figures at the Emirates who have some issues with the move, notably with the age of the player.
Merino is now 28, which is older than the average age of player that the Gunners normally target.
In addition, if he were to be offered a four or five year contract, he would have little or no resale value at the end of it.
Whilst central midfield still remains a priority position to cover before the transfer window closes, younger alternatives are being considered.
