Arsenal are closing in on a move for Spanish maestro Mikel Merino as the Gunners are set for the second arrival of the ongoing summer transfer window. Mikel Arteta brought back David Raya on a permanent transfer in the initial stages of the off-season before splashing money on Italian international Riccardo Calafiori, who was impressing in the European Championship ahead of his move to North London.
The saga of Merino has dragged on for a while since initial rumours; this was attributed to Merino’s current employers, Real Sociedad, haggling to get as much money from the midfielder’s move, complemented by the fact that the player was on a delayed summer holiday because of his involvement in the EURO 2024, where he played a significant role in pushing Spain to summer silverware.
Mikel Merino says goodbye to Sociedad ahead of Arsenal move
However, the hurdles are now jumped with the fee, with the La Liga side agreeing and the player having already said his goodbyes to the staff at Reale Arena. The 28-year-old was captured saying his final good-byes at Sociedad’s training grounds yesterday.
🚨Exlclusive image from @adursarasua_ /@NotGip
Mikel Merino saying his goodbyes to Sociedad staff pic.twitter.com/wkTaEE0ayP
— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) August 23, 2024
Merino was also spotted at the airport as he flew to London in order to have his medical and complete a move to Arsenal as the Gunners travelled to Villa Park on Saturday.
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🚨 Mikel Merino at San Sebastian airport for his flight to London to finalise his transfer to Arsenal. 🇪🇸✈️
📸 @diariovasco pic.twitter.com/7cJPpRa5nE
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 23, 2024
Arteta’s personal touch brings Merino to Arsenal
While the players usually take to hotels or rental houses while the process of transferring is still heading into conclusive stages, the former Newcastle United midfielder was hosted with royalty ahead of his move to Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta hosted Mikel Merino at his house last night ahead of his transfer.
🗣 Instead of putting Mikel Merino up in a hotel Mikel Arteta hosted him in his own home last night. #arsenalfanaticsnews pic.twitter.com/fQpxGr4sxu
— Arteta’s Red Army #ArsenalFanaticsNews (@Arsenal23Wenger) August 25, 2024
Arsenal boss played a huge role to bring his country man to Arsenal as the Gunners beat Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to sign the 28-year-old and the fact that he hosted Merino at his house shows how much involved Arteta was to bring the player to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
