Arsenal FINALLY complete £31 million signing of Euro 2024 hero Mikel Merino

Arsenal have finally completed the signing of midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, for a transfer fee worth £31.6 million.

Arsenal FINALLY complete £31 million signing of Euro 2024 hero Mikel Merino

Spaniard Mikel Merino signed for Arsenal from Real Sociedad. (via Arsenal.com)

After weeks of negotiations and meetings, Arsenal have finally completed the signing of Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. The Spanish midfielder, who also played for Newcastle and Dortmund previously, will join the Gunners for a transfer fee worth £31.6 million. 

Mikel Merino signed a massive five-year contract at the club, after having successfully completed his medical in London. It makes him a valuable addition to the Arsenal midfield, which already features the likes of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Jorginho. The 28-year-old midfielder, despite being linked to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, set his mind on joining the Gunners. He most recently lifted the Euro 2024 title with Spain, scoring the winner against Germany in the quarter-finals.

YouTube video

Merino comes off the back of a few brilliant seasons with La Real, having played for more than six years in the Spanish league. He made 242 appearances in all competitions for Real Sociedad, scoring 27 goals and providing 30 assists, forging a brilliant partnership with fellow Spaniard Martin Zubimendi. Last season, he registered the most number of duels (326) and recoveries (197), making him one of the best ball-controlling midfielders of Spain.

FS Video

Meanwhile, the midfielder’s signature marked Arsenal’s third major summer signing. Prior to Merino, they had signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and confirmed David Raya‘s return to the club, from fellow Premier League side Brentford. 

RELATED
Rio Ferdinand SLAMS Manchester United as club prepares to offload academy product Scott McTominay
Rio Ferdinand on Scott McTominay

Arsenal look to sign new center-forward before the summer transfer deadline

The Gunners have been one of the most active sides this summer, having made three new signings, while also selling seven first team stars. A new center-forward is the next player on the club’s list of summer additions, hoping to push for the Premier League title.

Arsenal forward list
Ivan Toney, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres are all a part of Arsenal’s list of forwards. (via GOAL)

After having completed the signings of Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino and David Raya for a combined fee worth €110 million, Arsenal are now looking to sign a new goal-scoring forward, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres in the list. 

A new center-forward would bolster Arsenal’s chances of lifting the title, after manager Mikel Arteta highlighted the necessity of winning more points to outclass Manchester City. The club would also need to replace Eddie Nketiah, who is set to join Crystal Palace.

In case you missed: