The People says Arsenal are ready to off-load midfield schemer Merida - just after being told to pay £2.1million for him.

Arsenal have to foot the bill for compensation the teenager has been ordered to pay after a Spanish civil court decided he had broken an agreement with former club Barcelona.

The ruling comes just as Arsenal are planning to sell the youngster after a backroom "poll" on his talents and checks on his game statistics.

There is a fear Merida, 17, may not be mobile enough or quick enough and he seems set to be shipped out, possibly back to Spain.