HERE WE GO: £30M midfielder has finally agreed to lower His salary to join Arteta side Arsenal,He is set to be Arteta second summer signing – medical team on standby to welcome Him
HERE WE GO: £30M midfielder has finally agreed to lower His salary to join Arteta side Arsenal,He is set to be Arteta second summer signing – medical team on standby to welcome Him
Reports suggest that Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, is highly interested in signing Real Sociedad’s midfielder, Mikel Merino, for approximately £21 million this summer.
Mikel Merino started his football career at the Osasuna youth academy. His impressive performances there led to a transfer to Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for about £3.5 million. However, Merino struggled to find his place at Dortmund, making only nine appearances for the German club.
In July 2017, Merino was loaned to Newcastle United for a season. His stint at Newcastle was successful, leading to a permanent transfer for around £6 million the following year. Despite this, Merino’s time as an official Newcastle player was short-lived—just 11 days. He soon moved to Real Sociedad, where he has significantly developed his skills over the past six years.
During his time with Real Sociedad, Merino has played 242 matches and has established himself as a key player for the club. His excellent form also earned him a spot on the Spanish national team. He made his international debut in September 2020 and represented Spain in the 2021 Summer Olympics. So far, he has earned 23 caps for Spain and has participated in both Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Croatia and Italy.
Despite his talent, Merino faces stiff competition for a starting spot in the national team, with players like Fabian Ruiz and Manchester City’s Rodri ahead of him. Nonetheless, his performances have caught the eye of several top clubs.
Earlier this year, Manchester United showed interest in Merino. However, it appears that Arsenal is now leading the race to sign the 28-year-old midfielder. According to Spanish reports via Sport Witness, Barcelona is also interested but might struggle to match Arsenal’s offer.
Merino’s contract with Real Sociedad expires next year, and he is reportedly reluctant to extend it. As a result, Sociedad is open to a transfer, with a fee of around €25 million (£21.1 million) being discussed.
Mikel Arteta is particularly keen on securing Merino’s services. He has personally reached out to Merino to outline his ambitious plans for the midfielder at Arsenal. This direct approach has reportedly impressed Merino, making him very receptive to the idea of returning to the Premier League.
A £21.1 million transfer is financially feasible for Arsenal, and this potential move suggests that the club might be preparing for the departure of Thomas Partey. Partey, like Merino, is out of contract in 2025. Given Partey’s injury issues, Arsenal may look to sell him this summer to avoid losing him for free next year. There has already been interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Mikel Merino isn’t the only Spanish player on Arsenal’s radar. Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has also attracted Arteta’s attention as he looks to bolster the squad for the upcoming season.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Mikel Merino highlights the club’s intent to strengthen its midfield with a player who has proven himself both in La Liga and on the international stage. The coming weeks will reveal if Arteta can indeed bring Merino to North London and how this will reshape Arsenal’s squad dynamics.
