Real Sociedad are already resigned to losing Mikel Merino in the coming weeks, with Arsenal showing serious interest in the Euro 2024 winner. Now, they are to be without another midfielder for the start of the 2024-25 season, which gets underway in less than three weeks’ time.
On Tuesday, La Real confirmed that Arsen Zakharyan will undergo surgery in the coming weeks. The Russian international has a peroneal tendon injury in his right ankle as a result of a twist sustained during training two weeks ago, and it’s now been decided that an operation is necessary.
🏥 Parte médico: Arsen Zakharyan.https://t.co/pAqjyCHDgC
— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) July 30, 2024
Zakharyan was one of those in line to succeed Merino in La Real’s starting line-up, but that won’t happen for a while yet. Marca say that he will be out of action for 2-3 months, so he won’t return until October at the earliest.
Zakharyan’s injury could speed up Real Sociedad’s pursuit of Javi Guerra, who is their top midfield target at this stage. A move for the 21-year-old is being planned, and is likely to be executed once Merino’s departure is confirmed.
