Mikel Arteta brought Mikel Merino to Arsenal two years ago (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Merino’s father has poured cold water on rumours linking the midfielder with Real Madrid, insisting his son remains happy with ‘top club’ Arsenal.
The 30-year-old Spain international left Real Sociedad to join Arsenal in a deal worth £31.6million after winning the European Championship with La Roja back in 2024.
In that time, Merino has made a total of 86 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, chipping in with 16 goals and eight assists under the tutelage of fellow countryman Mikel Arteta.
Merino has established himself as an invaluable member of Arsenal’s dressing room across his opening two years in north London and his ability to fill in as a makeshift centre-forward has proven an extremely useful asset.
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However, fierce competition for places means Merino has been forced to play something of a bit-part role at the Emirates, with the 2026 World Cup winner still yet to start in the Premier League this term.
This had led to some speculation that Merino could be open to fresh challenges away from Arsenal, somewhere where he may be guaranteed more playing time.
Real Madrid were credited with an interest before Merino signed for Arsenal two years ago and reports emanating out of Spain this week claim the La Liga giants could be back in for the former Sociedad man.
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Joe Toth/Shutterstock (17152635aj) Mikel Merino of Arsenal Ipswich Town v Arsenal, EFL Carabao Cup, Football, Portman Road, UK - 15 Sep 2026
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Joe Toth/Shutterstock (17152635aj) Mikel Merino of Arsenal Ipswich Town v Arsenal, EFL Carabao Cup, Football, Portman Road, UK - 15 Sep 2026
IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team???s fourth goal with Martin Zubimendi during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal at Portman Road on September 15, 2026 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The midfielder has two years remaining on his current deal with the Gunners (Picture: Getty)
But featuring as a guest on Goles con Parrado, Merino’s father was keen to shut down talk that his son may have grown unhappy with his peripheral role at Arsenal.
Asked why Madrid didn’t make a concerted effort to sign Merino before Arsenal got their man, Miguel Merino replied: ‘Well, look, it’s not just about Real Madrid.
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‘He’s at Arsenal and has won the Premier League, has reached the Champions League final, he got to the Champions League semi-finals last year.
‘He’s part of a world-class squad, so he’s a world-class player.’
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On the suggestion that Madrid have failed to bring in a quality replacement since the departure of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, Merino snr replied: ‘Yes, well, but they opted for a different type of player for that position.
‘So, it’s a perfectly respectable decision, isn’t it?
‘The technical staff or those in charge at Real Madrid sometimes go for one profile or another.’
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: Mikel Merino of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: Mikel Merino of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Pressed on whether a return to La Liga could be on the cards for Merino in the future, he replied: ‘Well, right now, he’s at a club that is competing for everything. That’s what he wanted when he left Real Sociedad.
‘Mikel left with a heavy heart. He wanted to take a step up in his ambitions as a footballer, to be a regular in the Champions League and try to win the Premier League, which he’s already achieved.
‘He left Real Sociedad because he wanted to advance his career as a footballer and now he’s at a top club.
‘If he comes back 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.’
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Mikel Merino of Arsenal during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on October 08, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Mikel Merino of Arsenal during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on October 08, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Merino has encountered similar frustrations and challenges at international level when it comes to playing time, admitting as much after he scored both goals in Spain’s recent 2-1 win over Croatia.
‘I’m very happy to be able to help the team, another game in which it was my turn to score from the bench,’ Merino told TVE following the Nations League contest.
‘I’ll go out there with the best possible attitude even while frustrated about not being able to play more… but this team is a family and that always shows.’
The central midfielder, formerly of Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund, once again had to settle for a place on the substitutes bench at the weekend as Arsenal came from behind to beat Leeds at the Emirates.
Arteta sent on his compatriot in place of Martin Odegaard as the minutes ticked down in north London.
Merino’s current contract with the Gunners runs through to June 2028.
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