“Well, look, it's not just about Real Madrid,” Miguel Merino said in an interview with Goles con Parrado.
“I think he's a player who's at Arsenal and has won the Premier League, has reached the Champions League final, he got to the semi-finals last year. He's part of a world-class squad, so he's a world-class player.”
Merino joined Arsenal in 2024 after establishing himself at Real Sociedad, having previously played in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and in England with Newcastle United.
His father's comments came amid discussion of Real Madrid's midfield options following the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The Spanish club had also been linked with Merino and his Arsenal team-mate Martin Zubimendi.
Asked why Real Madrid had not pursued his son, Miguel pointed to the club's freedom to choose the type of player it wanted.
“Yes, well, but they opted for a different type of player for that position,” he said.
“So, it's a perfectly respectable decision, isn't it? The technical staff or the managers at Real Madrid sometimes go for one profile or another.”
The discussion also turned to whether Merino might eventually return to La Liga, with Atletico Madrid mentioned as a possible destination.
His father did not rule out a move back to Spain, but stressed that Arsenal currently provide the competitive environment his son sought when leaving Real Sociedad.
“Well, right now, he's at a club that's competing for everything,” Miguel said. “That's what he wanted when he left Real Sociedad.”
He also described the emotional difficulty of leaving the Basque club, where Merino had become an important figure before taking the next step in his career.
“Mikel left with a heavy heart,” his father said.
“He wanted to take a step up in his ambitions as a footballer, to be a regular in the Champions League and try to win the Premier League, which he's already achieved.
“He left Real Sociedad because he wanted to advance his career as a footballer, and now he's at a top club.”
Merino's contract at Arsenal runs until 2028, leaving the club in a strong position regarding his future. His father's comments suggest that any eventual return to Spain would depend on finding a project that matched the midfielder's ambitions.
“If he comes to La Liga, well, I suppose he'll want to continue in that rhythm of competing in the Champions League and keeping that motivation,” Miguel said.
“But obviously he's in a comfortable situation there at Arsenal, isn't he? Because he's experiencing exactly what he wanted when he left Real Sociedad.”
For now, the priority remains competing at the highest level in England. Miguel's comments leave the possibility of a Spanish return open without suggesting that his son is looking to leave Arsenal.