Arsenal have confirmed the signing of midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
The Spain international, 28, has joined the Gunners in a £31.6m deal from Real Sociedad. Mikel Merino has signed a four-year contract with the option of a further 12 months at the Emirates Stadium. The central midfielder was a part of the Spain squad that won the Euro 2024 in July, featuring in all seven matches in the tournament and scoring a late winner in extra time against host nation Germany in the quarter-final.
Mikel Merino becomes Arsenal’s third signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrival of defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and goalkeeper David Raya, with the north London club triggering the latter’s buy option from Brentford after a successful 2023/24 loan spell.
“Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility. He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now. Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality,” Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta said on Merino.
“As we all saw in the summer, Mikel is also a winner, with his strong performances throughout the Euros helping Spain win the tournament. We are delighted to welcome Mikel and his family to the club and can’t wait to start working with him.”
Mikel Merino is a strong addition to the Arsenal squad
Arsenal have finally managed to get the Merino deal over the line after intense negotiations with Real Sociedad. The central midfielder, who is also adept at operating in a deeper role or an advanced playmaker, spent six years with Real Sociedad after joining from Newcastle United. He made 242 appearances for the Spanish side, scoring 27 goals.
The Euro 2024 winner has previous Premier League experience having spent a season with Newcastle United, where he made 24 appearances. His arrival provides Arteta with more options in the middle of the park to compete with Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
A technically gifted and tactically versatile operator, Merino has raised the ceiling of the Arsenal squad that will look to win the Premier League title this time around after failing at the last hurdle to Manchester City in the last two seasons.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
