Mikel Merino has given the green light to a transfer to Arsenal with the midfielder having agreed on a four-year contract.
Merino is Arsenal’s focus after completing the transfer of Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, as the Gunners look to find a complement to Declan Rice in midfield.
The Spain international – who formed part of the victorious Euro 2024 side this summer – has entered the final season of his contract at Real Sociedad and could be available for a fee in the region of £20m.
Merino and Spain teammate Fabian Ruiz have been targeted, as Arsenal look to reinvest the funds received from Emile Smith Rowe’s imminent exit for Fulham.
Sport Zone have claimed the 28-year-old has given the green light to the Gunners and agreed terms on a four-year deal. It would mark a return to English football for Merino who had a short-lived spell at Newcastle United earlier in his career.
Arsenal will now look to reach an agreement with Sociedad over the final fee for the player, as the North Londoners strengthen their options ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
Merino was named in the La Liga Team of the Season in 2022-23 after helping Sociedad to Champions League qualification.
Last season, he scored eight goals and provided five assists in 45 appearances across all competitions and ranked second among all La Liga players for aerial duels won.
