Arsenal have been pushing to bring Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino to the Emirates Stadium with director Edu Gaspar flying to Spain to close the deal.
This transfer saga has taken a dramatic turn with Arsenal now closing in on a £29.8m deal to sign the Euro 2024 winner. Mikel Arteta has made his intentions clear – he wants to fight until the end to land his countryman, and it seems his wish is about to be granted.
🚨 Arsenal are closing in on a £29.8m deal to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. [@garyjacob] #afc pic.twitter.com/e9kwYO835h
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 16, 2024
Arsenal Closing in on Mikel Merino Deal
Arsenal have agreed a fee for Mikel Merino. Only tiny details remain to be finalized before the deal is officially announced. Edu & Co. are ramping up their efforts to bring the Euro 2024 winner to North London and are working to convince La Real to let their prized assets leave. The Gunners’ recent bid of €25 million (£21m) was straightaway rejected with the La Liga outfit demanding €35m (£30m) for the 28-year-old. However, we are reluctant to pay that sum of money for a player who is in the final year of his contract.
Arsenal have agreed a fee for Mikel Merino. Only tiny details left to finalise the deal @Teamnewsandtix
— The Bottom Corner (@thebottomcorna) August 16, 2024
Merino will be free to negotiate with any club in January and Sociedad are aware of the fact that they might lose him for free. They are still holding for more as Arsenal are seriously interested in the midfielder.
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The Spanish international has agreed to personal terms, unlike his teammate Martin Zudimendi who preferred to reject a move to Liverpool this summer.
Sociedad are playing hardball in this transfer gamble but Arsenal might leave the deal if their conditions are not met. This week will be crucial as we believe that Edu and Arteta are working tirelessly to sign the Euros Champion.
Why Mikel Merino is Crucial for Arteta
Merino is a midfield juggernaut who can operate defensively and allow the other players to get more involved in attack. This can help Declan Rice, who loved moving forward at times last season.
It will also assist Arteta in evolving his tactical gameplay with several options on board. The senior midfielder will provide competition to Jorginho and Thomas Partey.
The 6ft 2in. star is a physically imposing player and can contribute via set pieces. He has experience playing in the Premier League as he played for Newcastle United in 2018. Merino also played alongside Martin Ødegaard during their time together at Sociedad in 2019-20.
The fans needed Arsenal to have a player like Manchester City’s Rodri, a modern-day defensive midfielder who doesn’t fear moving forward and finding the back of the net. Merino has scored eight goals in 45 appearances in all competitions all season.
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The number 8 featured in all seven matches for Euro 2024 Champions Spain and also scored a vital goal in the quarter-final match against Germany.
Arsenal might get a player who can finally help them end their thirst for a Premier League title.
