Mikel Merino to agree Arsenal move TODAY?

Carlo Garganese

• 13 Aug 2024 09:30 BST
• 4 min read

Mikel Merino will make his decision on whether to join Arsenal within the next 24 hours.

That is according to El Diario Vasco, who report that Merino will communicate his final decision to both Arsenal and Real Sociedad.

Arsenal have made Merino their top target to strengthen their central midfield this summer and have been in talks to sign the star for a number of weeks now.

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Personal terms have already been agreed in principle, as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers, but Merino but still make a final decision. A club-to-club deal has still not been struck, either.

Merino’s chances of signing for Arsenal have received a boost with the news that fellow central midfielder Martin Zubimendi has rejected a move to Liverpool.

Despite Real Sociedad initially expecting Zubimendi to accept Liverpool's approaches, the 25-year-old has now decided to snub the Anfield club, according to multiple sources.

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Real Sociedad have been desperately trying to convince Zubimendi to remain with his boyhood club and it seems that they have been successful.

This news means that Real Sociedad will be much more open to letting Mikel Merino go as they were unwilling to sell both stars in the same transfer window.

Merino’s decision on whether to push Real Sociedad to sell him is expected on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old saw his reputation soar during Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign.

He was not a starter at Euro 2024 but played a crucial role off the bench, scoring a brilliant headed winner in the 119th minute against Germany in the quarter final.

Merino at Real Sociedad

Merino made his name at Osasuna, coming through the youth ranks and emerging as one of Spain’s most promising young central midfielders.

However, transfers to Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United were not a success, leading to him returning to Spain with Real Sociedad in 2018.

It is in the Basque Country that Merino developed into a big star. He has 242 appearances for Real Sociedad, scoring 27 goals and becoming a pillar of the team.

He won the Copa del Rey in 2020 and played a crucial role in Sociedad even playing in the Champions League.

Merino has won 28 caps for Spain, scoring two goals and winning Euro 2024. He also won the Euros with his country at Under-19 and Under-21 level.