Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil says it was the “best decision” to leave Mikel Merino out of the squad for Sunday’s game with Rayo Vallecano as he is in talks over a move to Arsenal.
The Gunners want to sign a midfielder before the transfer window closes later this month and have identified Merino as their preferred target.
Talks are underway between Arsenal and Sociedad, with reports in Spain saying a deal can be done for £25million to £30m.
Merino has been training as normal this week, but he has been left out of the Sociedad squad for their La Liga opener on Sunday.
“We worked with the idea that we would count on him, but I decided to leave him out of the squad,” Alguacil told reporters in Spain.
“He told me that he was ready to help. He wanted to be on the pitch. We are the ones who are here.
“There are open talks with other clubs and this decision is the best for them, for the club and for me.
“I don’t know if I’m optimistic about him. I know more or less what he wants, but we don’t know how those talks will end. At the moment, he’s with us. Tomorrow he’ll be out of the game.
“We are talking about the best midfielder in La Liga, as I have said before. You can imagine what that means.”
