Arsenal is on the brink of securing their third significant signing of the summer, having outmaneuvered Barcelona in the race for Mikel Merino. The Gunners have already agreed on personal terms with the Real Sociedad midfielder and have submitted a verbal bid.
Previous Signings and Spending Spree
This summer, Arsenal has already added two key players to their squad. David Raya was the first to arrive following a successful loan spell last season. The Spain international goalkeeper joined permanently after Arsenal activated a £27 million option to buy.
Following Raya, Riccardo Calafiori joined from Bologna for around £42 million, bolstering the Premier League’s meanest defense. The 22-year-old primarily plays at left-back but can also provide cover at left center-back for Gabriel Magalhaes, addressing a recent shortfall.
Targeting Mikel Merino
Arsenal’s transfer activities are not stopping there. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal is keen on signing Mikel Merino once Emile Smith Rowe completes his transfer to Fulham. Smith Rowe’s move to Fulham for £27 million plus £7 million in add-ons was finalized on Friday, freeing up funds for further acquisitions.
Merino, 28, is a standout player for Real Sociedad and Spain, with 28 caps since his debut in 2020. Although older than most of Mikel Arteta and Edu’s recent signings, Merino’s experience is seen as an asset for making an immediate impact. His addition is part of Arsenal’s strategy to make minor yet crucial tweaks to challenge Manchester City, as evidenced by last season’s performances.
Overcoming Barcelona’s Interest
Despite Barcelona’s interest in Merino, reports from Mundo Deportivo indicate that Merino has chosen to join Arsenal. This decision is a blow to Barcelona, who must now look for alternative midfielders. Additionally, Basque outlet Noticias de Gipuzkoa has suggested that Merino’s move to Arsenal is practically a done deal.
Financial Details and Agreement
Real Sociedad initially hoped to receive around €50 million (£43 million) for Merino. However, with the midfielder entering the final year of his contract, the club has had to lower their asking price. Arsenal has responded with a verbal offer of €30 million (£26 million) plus add-ons. This bid has been confirmed by reliable sources in Spain and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Romano noted, “Let me say that Arsenal are really closing in on the deal for Mikel Merino and let me clarify that the package is going to be something around €30m. We’ll understand the structure of the deal in the next days, but the agreement between Arsenal and Real Sociedad is really, really close. Everything is proceeding to the final stages.”
While it remains to be seen if Arsenal’s €30 million offer will be sufficient or if a higher bid will be needed, several factors are clear: Merino wants to join Arsenal, Barcelona is no longer a threat, personal terms have been agreed upon, Real Sociedad is open to selling, and Arsenal likely won’t have to pay the initial asking price.
Arsenal’s Future Prospects
As sporting director Richard Hughes and new head coach Arne Slot continue to strengthen the squad, Arsenal fans can expect more exciting developments. With Merino’s imminent arrival, the Gunners are poised to further enhance their midfield, setting the stage for a competitive season ahead.
