Merida will join Atletico Madrid after failing to nail down spot with Arsenal

05 January 2010 22:47
Arsenal are worried that they will lose Fran Merida at the end of the season with Atletico Madrid keen to lure him back to his native Spain.[LNB]The 19-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Barcelona in 2007, is out of contract in June and Atletico are set to offer him a pre-contract agreement which he would be allowed to sign now under FIFA's post-Bosman regulations.[LNB]Arsenal are powerless to stop the Spain Under 21 midfielder from leaving in the summer but they are still entitled to a transfer fee from his new club as he is under 23 years old.[LNB] On his way: Fran Merida (right) is walking out on Arsenal[LNB]'I fear the worst but I don't know,' said manager Arsene Wenger. [LNB]'We made him an offer but he could never finalise it for differentreasons. He is at the stage where he wants to play and he needs toplay. I don't know if he has signed somewhere else. I am a bitdisappointed if he has.'[LNB]Merida started Sunday's FA Cup tie at West Ham but has not started a Premier League game.[LNB] Arsenal set to lose promising Merida as Spaniard eyes dream move to MadridWhere are they now? Sportsmail takes a look at Arsenal's 'Young Guns'Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has high hopes for Frantastic MeridaARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail