Arsenal 'reach agreement' for second transfer after Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal have reached an agreement over personal terms with Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino ahead of a potential transfer, according to reports. The Gunners look set to try and close a deal with the La Real for what would be their second major arrival of the summer window.

Mikel Arteta appears to be eyeing upgrades in his engine room as he prepares to battle Manchester City for the Premier League title for a third successive season.

And Merino is reportedly his priority target following an impressive La Liga season and memorable Euro 2024 campaign with winners Spain.

On Monday, Arsenal announced the £42million signing of Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori to start their summer spending.

According to Sports Zone, the Gunners have now agreed the terms of a four-year contract until 2028 with Merino as work to bolster Arteta’s squad continues.

It’s claimed that discussions are subsequently set to take place with the San Sebastien outfit about a transfer fee.

Merino returned to his homeland, Spain, in 2018, leaving Newcastle United in a £10m deal following an underwhelming season on Tyneside.

He has thrived across his six years at La Real, particularly catching the eye last term before his inclusion in Spain’s Euro 2024 squad.

Merino was one of Luis de la Fuente’s heroes in Germany, scoring a stunning 119th-minute header to dump the hosts out in the quarter-finals on the way to glory.

The 28-year-old represents an attractive replacement for Thomas Partey, who faced an uncertain future at Arsenal following an injury-stricken 2023/24 season.

He was limited to just nine Premier League starts and only 16 appearances in all competitions, with Jorginho or Kai Havertz more commonly alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield.

The report adds that Arsenal’s negotiations for Merino are heading in the right direction, although they are unwilling to splash a mammoth fee.

“We don’t expect to do anything like it [the £105m deal for Declan Rice]. That’s the reality,” Arteta insisted during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

“We have to wait and see the movements in the market. We have already identified the things that we can improve.

“We had the meetings in February, March, April. So if we can, we will strengthen the team. So far I’m really happy with what we have.”

Arsenal will feature in friendlies against Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon before they start their Premier League campaign at home to Wolves on Saturday, August 17.