'The deal will get done' - Romano delivers update on major Arsenal target

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 4 Aug 2024 07:32 CDT
• 3 min read

Arsenal are confident that Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino will join them, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners have signed David Raya on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell last season, while defender Riccardo Calafiori joined from Bologna after an impressive season in Serie A and at Euro 2024 with Italy.

Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe left to Fulham and Mohamed Elneny left the club as a free agent.

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The Gunners were looking for a midfielder to come in and work in tandem with Declan Rice, and it now it looks as though that will be former Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle man Merino.

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, 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.

Arsenal are set to land Merino for €30 million plus bonuses. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €21.2m but this valuation is low as his contract expires next summer.

Current ETV

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

Mikel Merino

M (C)

Real Sociedad

€21.2M

ETV Range

€15.9M - €26.5M

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Fabrizio Romano opens up on deal

Romano opened up on the deal via CaughOffside. He said:

“Arsenal remain confident about closing the Mikel Merino deal in the next few days as the Premier League club have an agreement with Real Sociedad on the package for the player, which will be around €30m.

"The clubs are still discussing the structure of the deal and the payment terms, so there are still some things to clarify before it can be announced.

“The transfer is progressing very well and the expectation is that the deal will get done because the player has already said yes to Arsenal. Merino is no longer negotiating with Spanish clubs as he had opportunities with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

“He wants to go to the Premier League and he wants to play for Arsenal to work under Mikel Arteta, who has been really influential in the market for the Gunners.

“This deal is at the final stages and is advancing very well with Merino expected to be a new Arsenal player very soon.