Arsenal reach total agreement to sign Mikel Arteta’s top target

Arsenal have reportedly agreed on a deal in principle to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad for a transfer fee of £29.8 million

Arsenal Premier League campaign kicks off this afternoon as Mikel Arteta and his squad embark on a new season with title ambitions. 

The Gunners have made only one senior signing this summer, Riccardo Calafiori, and have also made David Raya’s stay at the Emirates permanent. With just under two weeks left in the transfer window, further moves could still be in the cards.

Arsenal have been closely monitoring Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino as a potential midfield reinforcement. The Spanish international, who has just one year remaining on his contract with the Basque side, has been a key target for the Gunners. 

While Arteta has remained tight-lipped about the progress of the Merino deal, he did indicate that the club’s strategy is to capitalise on any opportunities that arise in the transfer market. “The market is open and things can happen,” Arteta commented. 

“After the season, we had two objectives – the main and most important one is to make sure we are still in love with our players. Then, OK, if there are still opportunities in the market, we will look at them.”

According to reports from Radio Marca Donostia via Sport Witness, Arsenal have agreed on a deal in principle to sign Merino, with a transfer fee of £29.8 million. The Gunners are said to have already agreed on personal terms with the Euro 2024 winner, with negotiations focusing on the structure of payments to secure the midfielder’s signature.

Fabrizio Romano also reported that Mikel Arteta played a significant role in convincing Merino to join Arsenal. “The contract is ready,” Romano stated. 

“The player wants to work for Mikel Arteta and is really attracted by the technical project and by the manager. He believes that Arteta is the perfect coach for his skills.”