Arsenal are close to signing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, according to reports.
The Gunners have intensified their search for a new midfielder this summer and are now focused on Merino. 90min first reported last week that Arsenal would increase their interest in Merino following Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival from Bologna.
Fabrizio Romano now states that Arsenal and Merino have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ on personal terms, with only the transfer fee remaining to be finalized. Real Sociedad are seeking over £25m for Merino, who is entering the final year of his contract. Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
Merino, who recently played a key role off the bench for Spain in their Euro 2024 victory, scoring the decisive goal against Germany in the quarter-finals, has been capped 28 times by Spain. He joined Real Sociedad from Newcastle United in 2018 and has since made 242 appearances for the club.
While Merino’s teammate Martin Zubimendi had also been linked with Arsenal, as well as Manchester United and Liverpool, he has expressed a strong desire to remain at Real Sociedad.
So far this summer, Arsenal have made three senior signings: David Raya’s loan from Brentford has been made permanent, and they have also acquired Calafiori and young goalkeeper Tommy Setford.