Real Sociedad and Arsenal have been in talks for Mikel Merino for several weeks now, and despite positive noises coming out of both camps, a deal is yet to be done. It appears the final agreement could be imminent though.
La Real President Jokin Aperribay has traveled to London to meet with Arsenal and finish negotiations, as reported on RadioMarca by Yon Cuezva. Merino is due to sign a four or five-year deal with the Gunners, depending on how the payments are structure and therefore ammortised.
ℹ️ Aperribay está en Londres para negociar la salida definitiva de Merino. Las partes se han emplazado a juntarse hoy para terminar de negociar. El contrato de Mikel con el Arsenal sería de 4 o 5 años en función de la amortización final del traspaso.
— Yon Cuezva 🎙 (@cuezva) August 21, 2024
Merino has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal some time ago, after being convinced by Mikel Arteta to make the move. The deal is expected to range between €30m and €40m, and Merino has not been training with La Real, as he awaits the completion of the deal.
The 27-year-old has been a stalwart of the Txuri-Urdin midfield for six years, and helped them to their most successful period since the 1980s alongside Martin Zubimendi. La Real have already moved to replace Merino, with Luka Sucic arriving from RB Salzburg earlier this summer.
