Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admires the 'talent and physicality' of one midfielder who he'd like the club to sign this summer.
It's no secret that Arteta wants to add a versatile midfielder to his squad to play alongside Declan Rice next season.
Therefore, given that Mohamed Elneny has also left, Arsenal's midfield is looking a little light, perhaps even now considered a weak area of the squad.
At one point it did seem as if Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi could be Arsenal's number one target in that regard this summer.
However, Zubimendi has quashed links to Arsenal, seemingly determined to remain at his boyhood club where he's very content.
That being said, Zubimendi's teammate, Mikel Merino, who is also at Euro 2024 with Spain, has emerged as an alternative, a player Arteta absolutely loves.
Merino caught the world's attention with his winning-header against Germany in the quarter-finals, but it seems he's had Arsenal's eye for some time now.
Mikel Arteta could repeat Leandro Trossard trick by signing Mikel Merino for Arsenal According to a report by The Athletic, Arteta is a firm admirer of the former Newcastle United player, who is now excelling in Spain at 28-years-old.
Arteta has been impressed by Merino's 'talent and physicality', a player who could emerge as a surprise target for Arsenal.
Take Riccardo Calafiori for example, a 22-year-old who will improve Arsenal's squad immediately, but will need to fulfil some of his potential to become a regular starter.
But in Merino's case, perhaps Arsenal have identified a player who can improve their eleven immediately.
Arsenal added Jorginho and Leandro Trossard in recent years as older profiles - moves that have been a success.
And perhaps PS21m-rated Merino is intended to contribute in similar fashion, able to play as a number eight or a six.
That being said, Merino is slightly better suited to an offensive role, so perhaps his arrival would hint that Partey is set to stay for the last year of his contract in north London.
Aside from Merino, it now seems as if Arteta intends to play Calafiori in an entirely new role at Arsenal.