Arsenal is in the final stages of completing the transfer of Mikel Merino, who was left out of Real Sociedad’s opening La Liga match. Arsenal officials are using the weekend to finalize negotiations with Sociedad over Merino, a process that has been ongoing for the past three weeks. With the new season underway, Mikel Arteta is eager to integrate Merino into his squad, viewing him as a crucial addition in their pursuit of the Premier League title after two consecutive second-place finishes.
Merino, known for his excellent ball-handling skills, is expected to alleviate some of the workload for Declan Rice. The 28-year-old midfielder has already reached a personal agreement with Arsenal, having decided not to renew his contract with Sociedad, which is set to expire in June 2025.
Despite interest from Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, Merino has been persuaded by Arteta’s football project and is set to move to London.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal and Sociedad have also come to an agreement on the transfer, with only final details regarding payment methods and additional terms remaining.
Sociedad has indicated that Merino’s departure is imminent by excluding him from their squad for the opening La Liga fixture against Rayo Vallecano on August 19. Coach Imanol confirmed, “I have left Merino out of the squad due to ongoing negotiations with other clubs. This is the best solution at the moment.”
