Arsenal have reportedly agreed to sign Mikel Merino with the Gunners striking an agreement to sign the midfielder for €38.5m from Real Sociedad.
According to The Athletic, the North London club will shell out €33.5 million (£28m/$37m) upfront with an additional €5m (£4m/$5m) tied to various performance-related variables to land Merino from the Basque outfit.
He is expected to commit to a four-year contract with Arsenal, with an option for the club to extend the agreement by an additional year.
With only one year remaining on his current contract with Real Sociedad, Merino had long been on Arsenal’s radar as a key target to strengthen their midfield options.
Mikel Arteta urged the board to step up their pursuit of the midfielder after he put in several impressive performances at Euro 2024 and played a key role in guiding Spain to the championship.
Merino is no stranger to English football, having previously spent a season with Newcastle United.
He initially joined Newcastle on loan from Borussia Dortmund before the move was made permanent a few months later.
However, after a year in the Premier League, Merino opted to return to Spain, joining Real Sociedad in the summer of 2018.
Also, during his time with the Basque club, Merino made 242 appearances, scoring 27 goals and providing 30 assists, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and reliable midfielder.
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Should the transfer be completed, Merino will become Arsenal’s third major signing of the summer after David Raya and defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna.
With his experience in both La Liga and the Premier League, the 28-year-old is expected to provide the depth and quality that Arsenal need in midfield to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title.
