Arsenal’s pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino has reportedly progressed significantly, with negotiations now at an advanced stage. According to recent reports, including an update from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on his *Here We Go* podcast, Arsenal has been in active discussions with Real Sociedad for several weeks regarding Merino’s transfer.
Romano confirmed that Merino is eager to join the North London club and has already reached a personal agreement with Arsenal, despite interest from other top European clubs such as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Merino’s preference for Arsenal is clear, with the player being particularly attracted to the idea of working under manager Mikel Arteta. The Spanish international believes that Arteta’s coaching philosophy and the broader technical project at Arsenal align well with his own playing style and career goals.
The contract between Merino and Arsenal is reportedly ready, reflecting his strong desire to move to the Premier League.
However, while negotiations have reached an advanced stage, there are still a few details that need to be finalized. The remaining issues primarily involve the payment terms and the overall structure of the deal between Arsenal and Real Sociedad. Romano stressed that although the transfer is close to completion, some work remains before it can be officially confirmed.
There had been speculation that Arsenal might be considering alternative options to Merino, especially after he missed a recent pre-season friendly for Real Sociedad. However, this absence was later attributed to fitness concerns rather than an imminent transfer.
Most sources now suggest that Merino’s move to Arsenal is highly likely, with the finalization of the transfer seeming more a matter of timing than uncertainty.
The anticipation is high among Arsenal supporters, who are eagerly awaiting the official confirmation of Merino’s addition to the squad.
Leave a Reply