Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle to sign Spain midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners are set to pay €33.5 million (£28.4 million) plus an additional €5 million in variables to secure the midfielder’s services.
Merino is expected to agree to a four-year contract with an option for a further year, pending a medical examination.
The North London club had intensified their efforts to sign the 28-year-old, who has one year remaining on his current contract.
The Spain international has been a long-term target for Arsenal and was notably omitted from the squad for Real Sociedad’s match against Rayo Vallecano on La Liga’s opening weekend.
If the deal is finalised, Merino will become the third player to join Arsenal this summer.
David Raya’s loan move from Brentford was made permanent earlier in the transfer window, and defender Riccardo Calafiori was acquired from Bologna.
Merino began his career at Osasuna before having stints at Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United.
He joined Real Sociedad in the summer of 2018 and has since scored 27 goals and provided 30 assists in 242 appearances for the club.
On the international stage, Mikel Merino has scored two goals in 28 appearances for Spain and featured in all seven games of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning campaign in Germany earlier this summer.
Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay earlier addressed Merino’s future during a press conference on Monday.
Aperribay emphasized that the club would not entertain a low offer for one of their key players.
However, he acknowledged that Merino is eager to join Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
“Mikel already told us that he feels very much like a Real fan, but that if a Premier League team came, he wanted to fulfil his dream,” Aperribay said.
“Merino was clear that he didn’t want to say he was renewing and then leave,” Aperribay said.
“Unfortunately, one of the teams we didn’t want to show up showed up.
“When I was in Japan, Olabe (Sporting Director) told me that Arsenal had called.
“I wish it had been earlier or that they hadn’t called at all.
“We will talk to Arsenal and defend the interests of Real Sociedad.
“When we consider that the offer is good, we will say yes.
“We know what Merino’s wishes are, so we decided not to call him up.”
Real Sociedad have successfully fended off Liverpool’s interest in Martin Zubimendi, but it seems likely that the club will soon confirm the departure of Mikel Merino to Arsenal.
Manager Imanol Alguacil appears resigned to losing the Euro 2024 winner.
“It has not been complicated at all, it is what happens every year, to all coaches, clubs and sporting directors. Every summer there is movement. Merino and Le Normand? There are no two players like them,” he said after the defeat to Vallecano.
“And I won’t even tell you if Zubimendi leaves us at the last minute.
“They are irreplaceable players.
“Because of what they have done, we are talking about Le Normand leaving, Arsenal want Merino and Liverpool were willing to pay the release clause for Zubimendi.
“But we cannot always look for an excuse when Merino and Le Normand are not there if things don’t work out for us.
“Of course I was disappointed by what happened, especially the first 10 minutes.
“I noticed a lot of pressure and tension.
“Then, we took a step forward, we were better, there were moments when we got out of their good pressure and created some situations, although not very clear.
“And then, with the match tied, if we are not brilliant with the ball, we cannot give away the two throw-ins that we gave away and that ended in their two goals.”
Arsenal will face Aston Villa on Saturday in the Premier League.
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