Arsenal “have reached” an agreement with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino over a four-year contract, according to SportsZone.
The French outlet reports that the Gunners will now make an approach to the Spanish international’s club to negotiate a transfer fee.
Fans on X are delighted that Mikel Arteta’s side are moving so swiftly to secure Merino’s signature, and most feel he will be a good addition to the squad:
This is great stuff
— Ømi🩸 (@Odieguard) July 30, 2024
This is a very exciting signing for us. He wasn’t my first choice for the LCM position, but he will definitely give us more control. I’m all in.
— SlimEmmyAFC (@Slimemmy6) July 30, 2024
Wow. Mikel Merino will be a great addition in the Arsenal team♥️
— Imran Rafiq (@ImranRafiq27) July 30, 2024
Good deal
Working in silence
— HeavenBound (@gospelsongsng) July 30, 2024
That was fast
— DADvibes (@Dadvibezzz) July 30, 2024
Signing of the summer for us
— Aconji (@AbiolaDave00) July 30, 2024
Let Edu Cook 🎉
— Solomon Oshoke Inyadu (@duke_solex) July 30, 2024
Arsenal don’t want to pay over the odds
The 28-year-old has less than a year remaining on his current deal at Real Sociedad but it has been reported that his asking price is as high as €30m (£25m).
That fee would likely be too high for the Gunners and a lot will hinge on whether a compromise can be found. Otherwise, a move for Merino could still stall, despite personal terms having been agreed.
Are alternatives to Merino being considered?
It does appear as if the former Newcastle player is the No.1 target at the moment, but sporting director Edu is likely to have alternatives in mind if negotiations with Real Sociedad don’t progress.
Boca Juniors’ Ezequiel Fernandez has been mentioned as a possible option in recent days, but he is more of a No.6 rather than a No.8 like Merino.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz is another player that has been linked but he would likely cost a lot more than either Merino or Fernandez.