Barcelona getting further and further away from signing player who is ‘hugely admired’ by Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal have less than two weeks to prepare this summer for the start of the new Premier League campaign.

The Gunners have only been able to secure one signing so far in the transfer market and they were certainly made to work for it.

Mikel Arteta endured a lengthy wait to secure the signing of Riccardo Calafiori but Arsenal have finally got their man through the doors.

Now the focus will turn to who is next in north London with a clear focus on signing quality over quantity this summer.

And it does appear Barcelona are now backing down in their pursuit of a player who Arteta would love to sign over the coming weeks.

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Arsenal have battled off Barcelona in pursuit of summer target

The Gunners are now back in the country following their tour of the United States and have welcomed Calafiori to London Colney.

However, he is the only new face around the club this summer with Arsenal looking to choose their signings really carefully.

Arsenal have shown how close they can push Manchester City in the race for the title and the addition of just a few quality signings could be enough to turn the tables.

And it does appear as if that is exactly what Edu Gaspar is looking to do this summer with their business looking extremely well thought out.

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According to The Athletic, Barcelona are now coming to terms that Arsenal are looking the club most likely to sign Mikel Merino.

A move for Merino is said to be getting further and further away from Barcelona’s reach as Arsenal show their interest.

Merino shone during this summer’s Euros which will have put him on the agenda of multiple sides across Europe.

However, it is a race which the Gunners look to be winning as they’re forcing the likes of Barcelona to sit back in their own pursuit.

Mikel Arteta is a huge admirer of Mikel Merino

This is a player who is claimed to be ‘hugely admired’ by the Arsenal boss as he looks to add to his midfield this summer.

Arteta has had a good handle on the midfield signings over recent years with the addition of players like Declan Rice.

But in Merino, Arsenal could land themselves a real bargain considering he has just 12 months remaining on his deal with Real Sociedad.

At a potential fee of just £20m, Arsenal could pull off one of the most shrewd signings of the summer if they are able to land Merino.