According to The Athletic, Arsenal is keen in signing Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams and Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino this summer.

The Gunners have made one significant addition and have had a quiet summer transfer window. Early this month, David Raya was hired permanently from Brentford.

For the past ten days, the club has been embroiled in talks with Bologna for Riccardo Calafiori; they have not yet decided on a payment schedule with the Serie A club.

The Gunners are supposedly looking at a new centre midfielder in today’s edition from The Athletic. One of the major targets is Merino, who might be signed on budget this summer.

His present contract with Sociedad runs until summer 2025. It is often expected of the La Liga team to approve his sale instead of running the danger of losing him on a free transfer following year.

Apart from Merino, it is said Arsenal would pursue a contract for Williams should they want to buy a wide player. Still, a change won’t be easy for the Gunners.

Given Barcelona’s fierce rivalry, Williams’ £49 million release clause will have to be paid in whole. Soon the financial constraints of the La Liga club might be relaxed.

Arsenal would also have to offload forwards from their front line to provide room and funds for the Spanish winger, who might seek a big pay scale.

Arsenal should hunt merino and Williams deals.

Merino could be ready for a fresh challenge because he has been with Sociedad for the past six seasons.

Having just spent one season with Newcastle United in 2017/18 before returning to La Liga, he could feel he has unresolved business in the Premier League.

Originally a holding midfielder, Merino has worked from the number eight position at Sociedad. Last term he finished with an amazing 10.2 duels per game.

Making 13 goal contributions, the Spaniard also won 2.4 tackles per game with 6.4 recoveries. Arsenal would find him to be the perfect addition based on his all around qualities.

Reports that Sociedad is looking around £20 million for his departure suggest he might be signed for less.

Williams, meantime, embodies all the traits of a world-class star in the next seasons.

He had a great season at Bilbao with nine goals and seventeen assists; he then starred for Spain in the Euros with two goals and one assist from six outings.

The 22-year-old can play on either wing well. During his club’s most recent La Liga campaign, he won an outstanding three take-ons every game.

Already paid £168,000 a week, he would most certainly want a pay increase for a move.

Given his great potential, we would think it would be worth it; Arsenal might have to trade a winger or two to release money for the Spaniards.