Mikel Merino to Arsenal: Transfer fee, contract details and his record at Real Sociedad

Arsenal are keen not to be left behind in this transfer market, and with eight days left until its closing, they reached an agreement in principle with Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino.

The Gunners will pay Real Sociedad a transfer fee of $35.5 million (€32 million) plus $5.5 million (€5 million) in add-ons; the player will also sign a four-year contract with an option of an additional year. Merino will become Arsenal’s third signing during this summer transfer window. The club first made David Raya’s move from Brentford permanent and then signed Italiy’s breakout player from the 2024 Euros, Riccardo Calafiori.

Since the beginning of July, Arsenal have been interested in hiring Merino, who was left out of Real Sociedad’s opening league game last week against Rayo Vallecano.

Mikel Merino’s stats with Real Sociedad

Mikel Merino began his career in the academy of the Spanish team Osasuna. He then played for Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle before joining Real Sociedad in 2018.

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He played his first game with Real Sociedad in their 2-1 away victory against Villarreal. Last season, the 28-year-old midfielder played 45 games across all competitions, including Real Sociedad’s outstanding UEFA Champions League campaign, scored eight goals and assisted five. In these six years with the club, Merino played 242 games, scored 27 goals, and gave 30 assists.

Spain also called up the midfielder for Euro 2024, where he played in all the games and was included in the Starting XI in the group stage match against Albania. Merino’s most memorable moment in the tournament was his goal during the extra time against Germany in the quarterfinals, which gave Spain the ticket to the semifinals.