Arsenal are on the verge of signing Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino after reaching an agreement with Real Sociedad for a deal worth £32.67 million. The agreement consists of an initial payment of £28.43 million, with an additional £4.24 million in add-ons based on performance.
Merino has agreed to a four-year contract with the option of extending it for an additional year, subject to passing a medical examination. Arsenal's strategic move to sign the 28-year-old midfielder aims to strengthen its midfield as it prepares for the upcoming 2024-25 Premier League season.
Arsenal came close to winning the league last season but ultimately lost to Manchester City, So It is looking to bolster its squad to challenge for the title. Merino, who recently played a key role in Spain’s European Championship victory and ranks 5th in our list of most valuable Spanish midfield maestros, will likely form a central midfield partnership with England international Declan Rice, providing more depth and versatility in the team.
Merino's addition would make him Arsenal's second signing of the summer transfer window, following the acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. The move also comes amid Arsenal’s negotiations to sell striker Eddie Nketiah to Nottingham Forest for £30 million, after rejecting an initial bid of £25 million.
Merino, who has made 242 appearances for Real Sociedad and earned 28 caps for Spain, was left out of Real Sociedad’s squad for their LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano, indicating that his transfer to Arsenal is imminent.
With these moves, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta hopes to finalise a squad capable of competing for top honours and improving upon last season’s second-place Premier League finish.
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