Spain's Mikel Merino celebrates scoring their second goal, Euro 2024 - Quarter Final - Spain v Germany - Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - July 5, 2024.Arsenal has agreed on a fee worth up to £32.6 million to sign midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, according to media reports yesterday.
Merino starred for Spain this summer as they lifted a record fourth European Championship, featuring in all seven matches and scoring a last-minute winner in extra-time to defeat hosts Germany in the quarter-finals. The 28-year-old spent six seasons in San Sebastian after signing from Newcastle United in 2018, helping Real Sociedad qualify for European competitions for four straight years, the longest run in club history.
Merino had been left out of Real Sociedad’s squad on Sunday when they lost 2-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano and is expected to sign a four-year contract at the Emirates. The Spaniard is set to become the third incoming transfer of the summer for Mikel Arteta’s side, joining compatriot David Raya, with the Gunners activating the option to sign the goalkeeper permanently from Brentford, and Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori, as Arsenal seeks to go one better than their second place finishes the last two seasons.