Arsenal are on the brink of securing a £32.6 million deal to sign Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. The 27-year-old has agreed to a long-term contract and traveled to England over the weekend to complete his medical. After prolonged negotiations, Arsenal and Sociedad reached an agreement last week, with the Gunners set to pay £28.4 million upfront, plus £4.2 million in potential add-ons.
Sociedad were initially reluctant to part with Merino, who had just one year remaining on his contract and was unwilling to sign an extension. Arsenal’s persistence paid off, and the midfielder now looks set to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.
With Merino’s signing nearly complete, Arsenal’s attention is turning towards adding a forward to their ranks, while several departures are also on the horizon. Eddie Nketiah is nearing a £30 million move to Crystal Palace, and Fabio Vieira is close to returning to Porto on loan. Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsdale’s future remains uncertain, with Arsenal preferring to sell the goalkeeper after rejecting a loan offer from Ajax earlier this month. While Ajax remains interested, Bournemouth, Southampton, and Wolves have also expressed interest in Ramsdale.
If Ramsdale departs, Arsenal will be in the market for a backup goalkeeper, with Espanyol’s Joan Garcia identified as their top target. Additionally, the Gunners are seeking an experienced homegrown goalkeeper to be their third-choice option. They previously had a £50,000 bid for Wolves’ Dan Bentley rejected earlier this summer but remain on the lookout for the right candidate.
As Arsenal prepare for the final days of the transfer window, they are not only focused on strengthening their squad but also on managing outgoings effectively. The completion of Merino’s signing would mark a significant addition to their midfield options, while the potential sales of Nketiah, Vieira, and Ramsdale could provide additional funds and flexibility for further moves.