Arsenal transfer 'matter of hours away' as excitement builds over next arrival

Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino is hours away from receiving the green light to complete a transfer to Arsenal, according to reports in Spain. The 28-year-old is set to be absent from Imanol Alguacil’s squad when his side start their La Liga campaign against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday evening.

La Real successfully fended off interest in Martin Zubimendi from Liverpool but appear resigned to losing another of their midfield stars before the summer transfer deadline.

Merino made 45 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish outfit last season, but his manager has opted against using him in this weekend’s 2024/25 curtain-raiser.

Ahead of Rayo’s visit to San Sebastian, Alguacil confirmed: “Merino wanted to be on the pitch, I decided to leave him out.”

According to AS, Arsenal and La Real are working to reach an agreement, and there could be a significant development in the saga by next week.

It’s claimed Arsenal are offering a £26million fixed fee plus £4m in add-ons. However, Merino has a £34m price tag, and work is continuing to find a compromise.

The Gunners are thought to be optimistic about striking a deal for Merino, who is keen to return to the Premier League, having spent the 2017/18 season at Newcastle United.

He landed at St. James’ Park from Borussia Dortmund before completing a switch to La Real the following summer for a fee in the region of £10m.

Merino has made 242 appearances for La Real in the six years that followed, registering 27 goals and 30 assists.

The Pamplona-born maestro has also accumulated 28 caps for Spain and featured in all seven matches in his nation’s Euro 2024-winning campaign during the summer.

His incredible extra-time header saw Spain dump out the hosts Germany in the quarter-finals on their way to glory.

Arsenal weren’t short of quality as they started their Premier League campaign with a routine 2-0 victory against Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka’s goals ensured the Gunners made a winning start to what is expected to be a third consecutive title challenge.

Ahead of the opening clash at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta remained coy on Arsenal’s transfer plans for the final two weeks of the window.

He said: “After the season we had two objectives – the main and most important one is make sure we are still in love with our players. Then, OK if there are still opportunities in the market we will look at them.”

Arsenal have so far splashed £69m after making David Raya’s season-long loan permanent for £27m and recruiting Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori for £42m.