Leon Goretzka is out of contract in the summer(Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal look set to take deals down to the wire on Transfer Deadline Day, ahead of the 7pm cut off, with Mikel Arteta ready to dive into the market at the eleventh hour.

Merino, 29, suffered a foot injury in his Arsenal's loss to Manchester United last week. Arteta has since confirmed a bone injury in the player's right foot that will require surgery.

And according to talkSPORT, Arteta has enquired about the German midfielder - however, a move for the midfielder at this stage appears unlikely. Goretzka is set to leave Bayern in the summer when his contract runs out.

Leon Goretzka has been at Bayern Munich since 2018(Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

Bayern and Goretzka had been in talks, but decided not to extend the player’s contract. The German international has been in Munich since 2018 and has lifted six Bundesliga titles and two DFB Cups with Bayern.

He has also won the domestic Supercup three times, the 2020 Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Bayern's sporting director, Christoph...