Arsenal’s superb transfer business puts them on brink of sealing Mikel Merino at a cut-price deal

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino, with the Spaniard set to join Mikel Arteta’s side in a reported £25 million deal. The 28-year-old will be one of the Gunners’ most experienced signings under Edu Gaspar’s spell as sporting director. He’ll arrive at the Emirates with plenty of experience if a deal goes through.

Merino was a prominent member of Luis de la Fuente’s Spain side, who won Euro 2024 in Germany last month. He appeared from the bench in all seven of their games and scored the winner in a 2-1 victory against the hosts (a.e.t). The versatile midfielder who can play in central midfield and attacking midfield also excelled at Reale Arena last season, registering eight goals and five assists in 45 games across competitions.

Merino’s capture is a superb piece of business, especially considering the sale of Emile Smith Rowe. The Hale End Academy graduate didn’t do enough to convince Arteta he was a future starter at the Emirates. The England international is headed for Fulham in a £35 million deal, which is the Cottagers transfer record. He may be younger than his potential replacement, but the form points towards the Spaniard as the superior talent at present.

Arsenal can focus on attacking acquisitions by signing Mikel Merino at a lower fee

Merino’s arrival at the Emirates is edging closer, but that might not be the end of Arsenal‘s transfer business this summer. They signed Italian left-back Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a reported £42 million and made David Raya’s loan permanent by sending £27 million Brentford’s way.

Arteta seems keen to bolster his attack after another season in which his troops came up short in a Premier League title race with Manchester City. Eddie Nketiah looks to be heading for the exit door, with Marseille closing in on his signing. A replacement is likely to come in for the English striker, but there are no significant links to any frontmen.

One name that has been touted is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, and the Gunners could make the most of PSG’s reluctance to agree to the Serie A side’s valuation of the Nigerian forward. Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport reports that the Premier League giants are weighing up hijacking the Parisians’ move for the 25-year-old who struck 17 goals in 32 games last season.

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