In a developing story, it appears that Arsenal is inching closer to finalizing a deal for Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, with an announcement expected within the next 24 hours. Merino’s potential move to the Emirates Stadium has been a hot topic, especially after his absence from La Real’s recent match against Real Vallecano.
The Gunners have made minimal additions to their squad this summer, with Riccardo Calafiori being their most significant signing from Bologna. They also secured David Raya from Brentford on a permanent deal and made some moves to reinforce their academy.
Real Sociedad’s manager, Imanol Alguacil, confirmed in a pre-match press conference that negotiations with Arsenal were underway for Merino. He mentioned the ongoing talks and hinted at a possible transfer, indicating that the deal was progressing well.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal’s sporting director Edu has been in Spain finalizing the deal for the Spanish international midfielder. Romano revealed that the agreement between the clubs is almost complete, with an announcement expected in the next 24-48 hours.
Merino seems eager to join Arsenal, with reports suggesting he is convinced of his role in the club’s pursuit of the Premier League title. Despite being left out of Real Sociedad’s recent game, he has been diligently working on maintaining his fitness levels in preparation for a potential move to North London.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is already planning for Merino’s integration into the team, providing specific training drills to help him settle in quickly. Real Sociedad initially demanded £35m for Merino but have reportedly lowered their asking price to avoid losing him for free at the end of the season.
As the final details of the deal are being worked on, it seems like Merino’s transfer to Arsenal is on the verge of completion. Stay tuned for the official announcement in the coming hours.
