ARSENAL are ready to offer a Spain Euro 2024 winner their best ever contract, according to reports.

The Gunners are looking to strengthen their midfield in order to give them the final push they need to win the Premier League title after two years of finishing runner-up to Manchester City.

And the player they believe can do that is Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino.

Merino, 28, scored his nations extra-time winner over Germany in the quarter-finals with a stunning header.

But with just one year left on his contract at his club, he is now considering his options.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, this has placed both Aston Villa and Arsenal on alert over him.

They will face competition from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid too, with the report claiming Merino has a release clause of £55million (€65m).

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is said to be a big fan of him and is prepared to sanction a deal that would see Merino earn the most lucrative contract of his career, potentially double what is currently on.

Merino had a loan move to Newcastle in the 2017/18 season from Borussia Dortmund before the Magpies signed him permanently and then sold him off to Real Sociedad days later.

A season after his arrival, Sociedad employed the services of then Real Madrid wonderkid Martin Odegaard on loan.