Arsenal‘s decision to pull out of the Mikel Merino transfer has left many fans scratching their heads. The Gunners were reportedly close to signing the Spanish midfielder from Borussia Dortmund, but they suddenly backed out of the deal. So, what went wrong?

The Initial Interest

Arsenal first showed interest in Merino during the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old midfielder had an impressive season with Borussia Dortmund, scoring three goals and providing four assists in 25 appearances. His performances caught the eye of several top clubs, including Arsenal.

The Negotiations

Arsenal began negotiations with Borussia Dortmund in early August. The two clubs reportedly agreed on a £22 million fee for Merino, and the Gunners were ready to offer him a five-year contract worth £60,000 per week. However, the deal hit a snag when Dortmund demanded a buy-back clause.

The Buy-Back Clause

Borussia Dortmund wanted to include a buy-back clause in the deal, which would allow them to re-sign Merino for a fixed fee in the future. This clause is common in German football, as it allows clubs to retain an interest in their former players. However, Arsenal were not comfortable with this condition.

Arsenal‘s Reservations

Arsenal‘s reservations about the buy-back clause were due to several reasons. Firstly, the Gunners were concerned that Dortmund would use the clause to re-sign Merino at a lower price than they sold him for. This would mean that Arsenal would not get a good return on their investment.

Alternative Targets

After pulling out of the Merino deal, Arsenal turned their attention to other midfield targets. They reportedly made a bid for AS Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko, but the French club rejected their offer. The Gunners also showed interest in Nice’s Jean Michael Seri, but they were put off by his £35 million price tag.

Conclusion

Arsenal‘s decision to pull out of the Mikel Merino transfer was likely due to their reservations about the buy-back clause. The Gunners are now looking at alternative targets to strengthen their midfield. While Merino would have been a good addition to the squad, Arsenal cannot afford to compromise on their transfer policy.

Important Keywords

• Mikel Merino
• Arsenal
• Borussia Dortmund
• Transfer
• Buy-Back Clause