OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION: Arsenal have finalized the acquisition of an £80 million European playmaker, outbidding Liverpool to secure his transfer. The player will have his medical examination this morning, and his jersey number has been announced. This move represents a major boost to Arsenal’s squad.

Arsenal’s pursuit of Mikel Merino has seen a notable development, with Real Sociedad securing a better deal than initially anticipated. Initially, it was believed that Arsenal might acquire Merino for between £20 million and £25 million.

However, the final agreement has increased the total cost to £32 million plus an additional £5 million in potential add-ons, reflecting Real Sociedad’s valuation of the Spanish midfielder.

Fabrizio Romano, a well-known football journalist, confirmed the deal with his signature phrase, “Here we go!” Romano’s update clarified that a verbal agreement is in place for Merino’s transfer to Arsenal, with the overall financial terms now set at €32 million and €5 million in add-ons. The payment conditions are reportedly favorable to Arsenal, and the contract will extend until 2028, with a possibility for an additional year.

This development follows weeks of negotiations, with significant progress made by Arsenal since late July. Despite other offers, Merino was particularly interested in joining Arsenal, demonstrating his strong commitment to the North London club. Romano highlighted the crucial role of Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, in persuading Merino to choose Arsenal over other options, citing Arteta’s influence in previous signings like Riccardo Calafiori.

Merino’s dedication to Arsenal was evident as he turned down at least two other offers, prioritizing a move to the Gunners. He is expected to travel to London shortly for a medical examination and to finalize his contract, which will keep him at Arsenal until June 2028, with an option to extend until 2029.

In addition to the Merino transfer, Arsenal is also managing the potential departure of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Ramsdale has been exploring new opportunities, with newly-promoted Southampton reportedly preparing a loan bid. However, Arsenal seems inclined towards a permanent sale rather than a temporary loan arrangement.

The Gunners have rejected recent loan offers from Ajax and Wolves, signaling their preference for a permanent transfer to balance their summer spending. They have set a £20 million asking price for Ramsdale, but as of now, no club has met this valuation.

As the transfer deadline approaches, Arsenal’s priority remains finalizing Merino’s acquisition while also addressing Ramsdale’s situation. The coming days will be critical for Arsenal as they aim to enhance their squad and manage their player outgoings effectively.

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