OFFICIAL: Arsenal complete Mikel Merino transfer

Tom Weber

Updated: 27 Aug 2024 16:12 BST
3 min read

Arsenal have officially completed the signing of Mikel Merino.

Article continues under the video

The Spanish midfielder joins the Gunners from Real Sociedad in a deal worth around €37 million to reinforce Arsenal's midfield following Emile Smith Rowe's record move to Fulham.

Merino arrives at the Emirates after several impressive seasons in the Basque Country during which he showed himself to be one of the most reliable and consistent midfielders in LaLiga.

Real Sociedad had offered the 28-year-old a new contract, but he had his heart set on returning to England after a brief, one-season stint at Newcastle during which he became a fan favourite.

The former Borussia Dortmund prospect only had a year left to run on his Real Sociedad contract, making him an attractive option in the transfer market.

Arsenal sign combative midfielder

In Merino, Arsenal have signed a combative and determined midfielder, who is equally as good in possession as he is out of it. The Spain international is a tackling machine and a relentless presence in the engine room.

However, Merino is not really a defensive midfielder, which is the kind of profile Arsenal had initially hoped to sign in a bid to allow Declan Rice to move into a No.8 role. Instead, Merino will probably play as an 8 alongside Martin Odegaard, with Rice shielding the backline.

Arsenal originally had their sights set on his former club teammate Martin Zubimendi, but the San Sebastian-born midfielder showed no signs of wanting to leave his boyhood club. Other options were deemed not attractive enough, so the Gunners instead pounced on Merino.

Arsenal's latest recruit played a crucial role for Spain at Euro 2024 despite primarily being a substitute. Merino scored the all-important, 119th-minute goal that saw Spain overcome hosts Germany in the quarter-final on their way to the title.