Arsenal agree £28m fee for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino

Spanish Euro 2024 winner is set to become the second summer signing to arrive at the Emirates

Arsenal have reached a verbal agreement with Real Sociedad for the transfer of Spain midfielder Mikel Merino, who is now close to joining the Premier League side in a deal worth around £28 million.
The final details of the move have not yet been finalised but there is now a strong expectation on all sides that Merino will soon be an Arsenal player.
Merino has been Arsenal’s priority target in midfield throughout this summer, with Telegraph Sport reporting in mid-July that a move was planned for the 28-year-old.
The acceleration of Arsenal’s interest in Merino comes as striker Eddie Nketiah moves closer to joining Nottingham Forest in a deal worth around £30 million.
Merino is a European Championship winner with Spain who featured in all seven of his country’s matches this summer in Germany, mostly from the bench. He scored a dramatic late winner against Germany in the quarter-finals.
A central midfield player who usually operates towards the left side, Merino will provide added depth and competition in Arteta’s squad. He is known for his ability in the air and his physicality without the ball.
Merino has only one year remaining on his contract in Spain, which has made Sociedad more willing to negotiate a deal. His departure was also made more likely after team-mate Martin Zubimendi decided to snub Liverpool’s interest and remain in Spain.
Merino has experience of English football having previously played for Newcastle United in the Premier League. His adaptation in London, if a deal can be finalised as expected, will be helped by his pre-existing relationship with Martin Odegaard, a former team-mate at Sociedad.
Arsenal have successfully fought off interest from other teams in their long pursuit of Merino. Barcelona were also interested in signing the midfielder, as were Atletico Madrid, who have since pivoted to acquire Conor Gallagher from Chelsea instead.
Merino is set to become Arsenal’s second new arrival of the summer after Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori joined from Bologna in a deal worth up to £42 million.