Arsenal has secured the signing of Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, marking their second major acquisition of the summer transfer window. The deal, finalized on Tuesday, sees the Euro 2024 winner joining the Gunners for an initial fee of 32 million euros ($36 million, £27 million), with an additional five million euros in potential add-ons.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, expressed his excitement about Merino’s arrival, highlighting the player’s experience and versatility as key attributes that will enhance the squad. “Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility,” Arteta said. “He has played at the top level both at club and international levels for a number of seasons now. Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality.”
Mikel Merino, who played a pivotal role in Spain’s dramatic Euro 2024 campaign, scored the decisive goal in the quarter-final win against hosts Germany. The 28-year-old midfielder has spent the last six years at Real Sociedad, where he established himself as a key player. However, this will not be his first stint in English football—Merino previously played for Newcastle United during the 2017/18 season, though his time there was less impactful before he returned to Spain.
Merino’s signing aligns with Arsenal’s broader strategy of strengthening their squad following a strong performance last season. He is Arsenal’s second signing of the summer, following the acquisition of Italian international defender Riccardo Calafiori. Additionally, Arsenal made the loan move of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford permanent, further solidifying their squad.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, emphasized Merino’s importance to their plans: “Mikel was a key target for us this summer, and we identified him as a player who can fit perfectly into our squad and profile to improve us, as we aim to build on our strong performances of last season.”
Merino’s arrival is expected to bring a new dimension to Arsenal’s midfield, adding both experience and technical skill as the club prepares for the upcoming season.
