Arsenal are in the process of finalising the £25million signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. The 28-year-old Spain international, who helped fire La Roja to Euro 2024 glory in Germany earlier this summer, looks set to become Arsenal’s second high-profile capture of the window following the £42m arrival of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori. After laying the groundwork for a deal over the past few weeks during discussions with the player’s representatives, the Gunners have now submitted a verbal proposal worth £25m plus bonuses for former Newcastle maestro Merino, who has now entered the final year of his current deal in the Basque Country. But after rejecting the chance to sign fresh terms with Real Sociedad, the La Liga club are now prepared to sanction a transfer and sources suggest Arsenal’s bid is considered acceptable – even if a total agreement is yet to have been reached. Personal terms have already been agreed between the Gunners and Merino, who has also attracted interest from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Merino is understood to be excited by the prospect of joining Arsenal and returning to the Premier League, where he has unfinished business after just one season on Tyneside with the Magpies during the 2017-18 season, following private discussions with Mikel Arteta in which the Spanish tactician presented a detailed plan to the midfielder about where he fits into his compatriot’s vision and tactical setup. Real Sociedad, who have a great relationship with Arsenal following the loan signing of left-back Kieran Tierney last summer, have already begun work on sourcing a replacement for Merino. Croatian talent Luka Sucic is set to move to the Anoeta Stadium from Red Bull Salzburg while Paris Saint-Germain’s Carlos Soler is also a player of interest to Sociedad. If all goes to plan, Arsenal are prepared to exchange documents with their Spanish counterparts by the end of the week once they have agreed on a payment structure and finalised the add-ons included within a potential agreement.
Arsenal’s work in the transfer market is by no means over, even if they land Merino, whose imminent arrival has been triggered by Fulham’s club-record £34m deal to sign attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.
Arteta and sporting director Edu still remain open to strengthening in attack, even though a lucrative swoop for a big-name striker such as Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen still seems somewhat unlikely at this stage of the window. A wide player to provide extra support for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard remains of great appeal though any deal could be dependent on the future of Reiss Nelson, which remains doubtful. Leicester and West Ham have both held initial talks for the former Hoffenheim loanee but Arsenal are yet to receive bids from either club, though they remain open to a sale at the right price.
Author: Mujuni Henry
JUNIITV
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