Merino to Arsenal: Coach confirms 'best player in LaLiga' set for Gunners

Tom Weber

Updated: 17 Aug 2024 14:11 BST
3 min read

Real Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil has confirmed that Mikel Merino is close to leaving.

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The coach faced the media ahead of his side's LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano and was, inevitably, quizzed about Real Sociedad's transfer business.

Martin Zubimendi was courted by Liverpool but decided against leaving his boyhood club, while Robin Le Normand moved to Atletico Madrid after an impressive Euro 2024 campaign.

Talks remain ongoing between Arsenal and Erreala for midfielder Mikel Merino, with personal terms already agreed weeks ago, as revealed by FootballTransfers. It is expected that the two clubs striking a deal is only a matter of time.

Indeed, Alguacil used the opportunity to say goodbye to Merino when asked about the 28-year-old's future and why he would be omitted from the match with Rayo on Sunday.

Merino to Arsenal confirmed

"Between now and the 30th, a thousand things can happen, the market could change, there could be injuries or some presidents or coaches could get nervous after the second matchday," the 53-year-old began.

"At the moment, we are where we are and I'm leaving out Merino and Carlos [Fernandez] because both have open conversations with other clubs and we'll see what happens."

"I have to thank both of them, as a person, and also as a club, for everything they have given us. I have classified Mikel as the best player in LaLiga, you can imagine what that means, and if you add Robin [Le Normand], the starting centre-back in the national team that won the Euro Cup, imagine what the team loses."

Arsenal are expected to pay around €30 million for the midfielder. An agreement is on the verge of being struck with final talks only centring around the payment structure and minor details, according to Fabrizio Romano.