Topics: Arsenal, Barcelona, Mikel Arteta, Sergio Busquets, Transfer News, Premier League, La Liga
Arsenal have reportedly offered a 'monster' deal for a player Barcelona believe will become even better than Sergio Busquets.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is after reinforcements ahead of the new Premier League season, and a new midfielder is high on his shopping list.
The Gunners have made incredible progress under the Spaniard in recent seasons, but last season they narrowly lost out on the Premier League title to Manchester City on the final day.
A prolific striker is arguably the kind of addition that would improve Arsenal the most, but greater depth in midfield would certainly help to close the gap between themselves and City even further.
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Arsenal have been linked with Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino, who tends to play in a double pivot in central midfield.
However, it looks like Arteta had his heart set on Barcelona youngster Marc Bernal, to the extent that Arsenal offered the 17-year-old a 'monster deal'.
That's according to Catalonian outlet e-Noticies, who have reported that Arteta was insistent on signing him.
However, unfortunately for Arsenal fans, it looks like the youngster is staying right where he is.
Bernal, a graduate of Barca's famed La Masia academy, plays as a single pivot and is viewed by new Barca manager Hansi Flick as the heir to Sergio Busquets' throne.
![Marc Bernal is expected to have a big future at Barcelona. [Getty]](https://resizer.ladbiblegroup.com/unsafe/rs:fit:3840:0:0:0/g:sm/q:70/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS1pbWFnZXMuY29udGVudHN0YWNrLmNvbS92My9hc3NldHMvYmx0YTkwZDA1YWQ0MWE1NGE3MS9ibHQ4MDNmMDRhMGRhNzMzYWU1LzY2YTI3YWRiOGJkNzI1MDFkMWM3ZTcyOC9HZXR0eUltYWdlcy0yMTU3NDYxMjc2LmpwZw.webp)
Busquets left the club in 2023, but a replacement has proven hard to find. While Barcelona sporting director Deco is keen on Real Sociedad duo Merino and Martin Zubimendi, Flick has 'fallen in love' with Bernal and has persuaded him to reject Arsenal's advances and stay at the club.
Flick reportedly believes that Bernal, who made 31 appearances for Barca's b-team last season, can become even better than the legendary Busquets, who won nine league titles and three Champions League's during his 15-year spell at the club.
Bernal is expected to be a regular member of Flick's first-team squad next season, as Barcelona look to wrestle the league title back from Real Madrid.
For Arsenal, the search for a new central midfield looks set to go on.
