Arsenal are poised to strengthen their midfield ranks with the imminent signing of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.
The Gunners have reportedly agreed a deal in principle worth up to £32.6 million for the Spanish international.
The 28-year-old, who has less than a year remaining on his contract at La Liga side, is expected to join for an initial fee of £28.4 million with an additional £4.2 million in add-ons.
Merino, a key member of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad, would become Arsenal’s third signing of the summer transfer window.
He joins fellow Spaniards David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori at the Emirates.
Known for his defensive prowess and ability to control the tempo of a game, Merino is seen as a perfect complement to Declan Rice.
His versatility allows him to play both deeper-lying midfield roles and box-to-box roles, providing Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with a valuable option in the middle of the park.
The Spanish midfielder has previous experience in the Premier League, having spent a year at Newcastle United before joining Real Sociedad in 2018.
He played alongside Martin Odegaard, now a teammate at Arsenal, during a loan spell from Real Madrid.
Merino’s arrival would further bolster Arsenal’s midfield options, joining Jorginho, Thomas Partey, and Martin Odegaard.
With his proven quality and experience, he is expected to make a significant contribution to the Gunners’ pursuit of success in both domestic and European competitions.
