BREAKING NEWS:Brighton defender Lewis Dunk stated, “I couldn’t sleep the night I learned Arsenal signed him. I contacted our transfer board to get the only defender capable of dealing with him, but my request was ignored. Now we face them this week, and with our current squad, I don’t think anyone can manage him.”

Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of completing the signing of Real Sociedad’s star midfielder, Mikel Merino, after extensive negotiations. The summer transfer window has been relatively subdued for the Gunners, with only the addition of Riccardo Calafiori and the permanent signing of David Raya.

However, the focus in recent weeks has been on securing Merino, the Euro 2024 winner, as manager Mikel Arteta aims to strengthen the midfield alongside Declan Rice.

Despite Merino having just a year left on his contract, Real Sociedad proved to be tough negotiators, refusing to compromise on the transfer fee. Ultimately, Arsenal agreed to a fee of £27 million, with an additional £3.3 million in potential add-ons.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal, stating that Merino has completed his medical, with the clubs finalising the documentation. The total fee is reported to be €32 million, with €5 million in add-ons, and Merino will sign a contract that runs until June 2028, with an option for an additional season.

The official announcement of Merino’s signing is expected soon, possibly on Sunday or Monday. The Spanish midfielder is anticipated to be available for Arsenal’s upcoming match against Brighton. The Gunners are already off to a strong start this season, having secured two wins from two, including an impressive away victory over Aston Villa. Arsenal are emerging as serious contenders to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title this season.

Merino is no stranger to Premier League football, having previously played for Newcastle United. Reflecting on his time at St James’ Park, Merino acknowledged that his experience at Borussia Dortmund did not meet his expectations, but it helped him grow as a player.

He described his time at Newcastle as an incredible experience, where he felt at home due to the warmth of the fans. Merino appreciated the full stadiums and the physical demands of the Premier League, which taught him the importance of strength and battling for the ball, rather than just focusing on passing.

He also expressed gratitude to Newcastle for his time there, noting that while he didn’t pick up any Geordie phrases, he improved his English by watching TV shows like *Game of Thrones*. The challenge of understanding the language helped him stay engaged with the drama of the show.