Arsenal eye move for striker after sealing deal for Mikel Merino: Reports

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing a striker after sealing a permanent deal to lure Mikel Merino away from Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window.

The Gunners, who finished second in the Premier League table past season, have been quite active this summer. So far, they have signed David Raya for £27 million from Brentford and have snapped up Riccardo Calafiori in a switch worth up to £42 million from Bologna.

Now, according to The Standard, Arsenal are keen to add two more players to their squad this summer. After signing Merino on a permanent move, they are interested in signing a new number nine option soon.

The Gunners, who used Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as their central strikers last campaign, are allegedly monitoring a host of strikers now. They have been heavily linked with Napoli star Victor Osimhen and Sporting CP ace Viktor Gyokeres in the past few months.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are believed to hoping to offload a number of squad players to raise summer funds. They could sell the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, and Kieran Tierney in the next few weeks.

24-year-old opens up on leaving Arsenal

Earlier this month, Arsenal offloaded midfielder Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham for an initial £27 million plus £7 million in potential bonuses.

Speaking to club media, Smith Rowe opened up on leaving Arsenal and joining the Cottagers this summer. He said (h/t The Standard):

"It's been a tough couple of seasons for me, so I think it was important I had to feel at home somewhere else. I am really happy to be here and I can't wait to get started. I'm finally here, so I'm really happy for me and my family – it's a good moment. I'm really excited, I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible so I could get going with my team-mates."

Smith Rowe, who started just four games in the last two terms, added:

"Listening to the project, speaking to the manager, and seeing what players we have here already, I think it's an exciting project for me, and definitely the perfect step for my career going forward. I am very excited. He [Fulham manager Marco Silva] spoke to me and straight away I could tell he is very confident in how he wants to play. He is very straight to the point and I am really excited."

Smith Rowe, 24, found the back of the net 18 times and recorded 13 assists in 115 games across competitions for the north London club.