Former Newcastle United star set for shock Premier League return as Arsenal eye £25m move

Newcastle United will not face Arsenal in the Premier League next season until the first weekend of November - but the Gunners could well have a familiar face in their squad by the time they arrive at St James Park.

Mikel Arteta’s side will head into the new campaign looking for a third consecutive push for the league title after narrowly missing out to champions Manchester City during the previous two seasons. There are said to be some ambitious transfer plans being formulated at the Emirates Stadium - although they are not believed to extend to moves for Magpies duo Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, who have both been linked with a move to the Gunners in recent months.

However, there is one player with Newcastle connections that could be part of Arteta’s ranks during the new season if reports in Spain are to be believed. News outlets Sport and Mundo Deportivo have both claimed the Gunners are considering a move for former Magpies midfielder Mikel Merino as they look to boost their midfield ranks during the summer transfer window. The Spain international showed plenty of signs of promise during a one-season stay on Tyneside but struggled to hold down a regular starting place in Rafa Benitez’s side during the 2017/18 season.

After initially joining Newcastle on loan from Borussia Dortmund during the summer of 2017, the classy midfielder made a permanent switch to St James Park months later and went on to make 25 appearances during what would be his only season with the club. Merino was allowed to return to Spain to join Real Sociedad in a £10m deal in July 2018 and has since gone on to enjoy a successful spell with the Basque club and has broken into the senior Spain squad.

Reflecting on his time on Tyneside in an interview with The Chronicle after his departure, he said: "I felt at home there and I'm not lying when I say that. I felt so welcome by the fans, by my team-mates, by the atmosphere. The city was amazing. I was enjoying just going to the city centre and having a pint or going for a walk and enjoying the people speaking nicely to you. I was feeling great.

"I look back on those times and it was a shame I could not play more games and enjoy the fans and the league a little bit more, but my mindset right now is it was a huge year for me. I learned a lot. I'm really sure I'm the player that I am now because of Newcastle and all the experiences that I lived there. I'm really happy that I lived that and I wish all the best for every Newcastle fan."

After featuring alongside current Magpies star Alexander Isak in Real Sociedad’s historic Copa del Rey Final win against Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao in April 2021, Merino also went on to represent the club in the Champions League and Europa League in recent seasons and his form has reportedly captured the attention of La Liga rivals Barcelona. However, the most recent reports have suggested Merino has been ‘seduced’ by Arsenal manager Arteta as he became wary of a sizeable fee being demanded for the midfielder’s club team-mate Martin Zubimendi. Arteta has reported told Merino he has ‘big plans’ for him should he join the Gunners and talks are now ongoing with Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar.