Merino to Arsenal confirmed as bargain fee announced

Robin Bairner

1 Aug 2024 07:35 BST
2 min read

Mikel Merino, Arsenal, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Arsenal are set to announce Mikel Merino as their second major signing of the summer transfer window, with the Gunners on the verge of signing the Spain Euro 2024 star.

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The Gunners have already captured Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna this summer, and while a deal for goalkeeper David Raya has been made permanent, Merino will become their second important new addition.

The 28-year-old will join Arsenal from Real Sociedad, with Relevo announcing that a deal is “imminent” after terms were agreed between the two clubs.

Merino fee confirmed

Arsenal are set to land the former Newcastle midfielder at a comparative bargain price of €30 million plus bonuses.

Merino’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €21.2m, but his quality is that of a more expensive player. Currently, his valuation is being kept low by the fact his contract expires next summer.

Mikel Arteta has moved quickly to sign the player, though, in light of competition from elsewhere. Atletico Madrid were interested in him before moving onto Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher when it became apparent that he was out of reach, while Barcelona also wanted to sign the player only for their financial problems to make a deal impossible.

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Merino, who had already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers, had made moving to the Emirates his absolute priority and is now the completion of formalities away from the deal.

Relevo states: “The official announcement should take place in the next few days.”

Real Sociedad have already found a successor to Merino in the form of PSG midfielder Carlos Soler, who was unable to find significant game time with the Ligue 1 outfit.

Merino, meanwhile, will hope to be available for Arsenal for at least one of their final two pre-season friendlies of the summer, with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday followed by Lyon on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.