August 27, (THEWILL) – Arsenal have announced the signing of Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.
The 28-year-old joins the North London side on a four-year contract with an option for an additional year. The transfer fee is reported to be £27.4 million upfront, with potential add-ons worth £4.2 million.
Merino brings significant experience to Arsenal, having played at the top level in Spain and internationally. He was part of the Spain national team that won Euro 2024, scoring the winning goal in the quarter-final against Germany. Arsenal Manager, Mikel Arteta, praised Merino’s quality, experience, and versatility, expressing confidence that the player will strengthen the squad.
This transfer marks Arsenal’s fourth signing of the current window, following the acquisitions of goalkeeper David Raya, defender Riccardo Calafiori, and Tommy Setford. Merino’s English Premier League experience includes a one-year stint at Newcastle United in 2018, before his move to Real Sociedad where he made 242 appearances.
Merino’s career also includes time at Borussia Dortmund, and he has earned 28 caps for Spain. His signing is seen as a significant boost to Arsenal’s midfield options, with the club looking to build on their recent successes and challenge for top honours in both domestic and European competitions.
The addition of Merino to the Arsenal squad is expected to provide depth and quality to the team’s midfield. His technical ability, combined with his experience at club and international level, makes him a valuable asset for the Gunners as they aim to compete at the highest level in the upcoming season.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
