Merino's father addresses Arsenal future amid Atletico Madrid interest
Mikel Merino's limited playing time under Mikel Arteta this season has fuelled speculation over his Arsenal future, with his father now weighing in on a possible return to Spain.
The midfielder has started just once in the Premier League this season, having averaged 49.9 minutes per appearance over the past 18 months. According to Spanish outlet La Razon, via Sport Witness, Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Merino on loan with an option to buy. His Arsenal contract runs until the summer of 2028, meaning the club would enter the final year of his deal next summer if no extension is agreed.
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Merino's father, Angel Miguel, discussed the prospect of his son returning to La Liga. “If he comes to La Liga, well, I suppose he'll want to continue in that rhythm of competing in the Champions League and keeping that motivation, but obviously he's in a comfortable situation there at Arsenal, isn't he? Because he's experiencing exactly what he wanted when he left Real Sociedad,” he said.
Why Spain caps matter
Merino is keen to represent Spain at Euro 2028, and regular club football could prove crucial to retaining his place in Luis de la Fuente's squad. That reality increases the prospect of a move away from the Emirates if his role under Arteta does not expand.
Despite the limited minutes, Arteta remains a clear admirer of the Spaniard. “He's unbelievable,” Arteta said. “First of all, he's one of the most intelligent players that I've seen and I've worked with. Then the personality is just full of… I don't know, he just wants to give for everybody. He thinks about everything, he thinks about everybody.”
Arteta also pointed to Merino's unique profile within the squad. “He has qualities that are unique in football and in our team, his capacity to arrive in the box, he's capable of occupying different places, to play in different positions, to link play with people. And as a midfielder, the ability that he has to score goals like tonight is a different one that we've seen lately, but another incredible one.”
A proven contributor
Merino joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad in 2024 in a deal worth just under £32million. He has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists under Arteta, often arriving with important interventions at key moments.
His versatility was particularly valuable during the 2024/25 season, when a striker injury crisis saw him deployed as an emergency No.9. That adaptability has made him a useful squad option even as his regular midfield minutes have fluctuated.
With Atletico Madrid reportedly monitoring the situation and Euro 2028 ambitions in the background, Merino's situation at Arsenal looks set to remain a talking point in the coming months.
