Arsenal are set to complete the signing of midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Spanish midfielder has completed his Arsenal medical and he is set to become the club’s third signing of the summer transfer window.
David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori have been the other two signings made by Mikel Arteta this summer to strengthen his squad.
Arsenal have chased a midfielder all summer and Merino was their primary target.
The Spaniard has impressed for Real Sociedad and Spain, with the midfielder helping the latter win the Euro 2024 this summer.
He played a crucial role in Spain’s triumph at the Euros, particularly in the match against Germany when he scored a late winner.
As per Romano, the player will sign a four-year deal with the Gunners with an option of another year.
🚨🔴⚪️ Mikel Merino has completed his medical as new Arsenal player with clubs exchanging documents, deal being sealed.
€32m fixed fee, €5m add-ons and contract until June 2028 plus option for further season. pic.twitter.com/6LSQNzqOnw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 25, 2024
Merino is expected to become a part of Arsenal’s starting line up straight away and replace Thomas Partey.
He is known for his physicality and his ability to win duels, something that the Arsenal midfield needs.
Mikel Merino will partner Declan Rice in Arsenal midfield
Declan Rice is a box to box midfielder who makes contribution on both ends of the pitch.
Merino will be required to help Rice in protecting the back four and winning possession to build attacks.
The Gunners are off to a fine start this season after winning both their Premier League matches.
The 2-0 win against Wolves in the opening match of the season was followed by a 2-0 win against Aston Villa.
Arsenal rode their luck today against a potential top 6 team that applied equal pressure to our defence.
All this talk of new defenders and new midfielders, but where is our new striker to help Havertz with the big games.
Well done Arsenal for beating a potential top 6 side, who once again had their chances and like last year applied equal pressure to match ours. This year we came up trumps in the 2-0 win.
I am still concerned as I was last year with Havertz no show performances against the potential top 4 or 6 sides that provide equal pressure. It may be the fact the he is deeper and defending more. I am not sure, but their is a pattern with Havertz going missing against the better teams in the premier and especially Europe, with just 1 goal in 10 games and almost as poor against the premier top teams as well. It maybe the fact that he tries to defend more.
One thing is certain, Arsenal still need that Big Game Center Forward that can score against the top teams. Havertz will however score all day against weaker opposition and is a primary member of the first team, and should not be replaced for those type of games.
Maybe Havertz will shake last season’s STATs against top 4 or 6 and also poor European performances, and step up and suprise us all this season, if we discount today’s no show against Villa as a one off reminder.
Also, do we have adequate cover for Havertz and is Jesus a reliable number two backup if Havertz gets injured. Are their still doubts that we are not taking a huge risk in Havertz lasting and performing well during the next 50 games injury free. Do we still need another striker to help Havertz in the big games, or is Jesus enough?
The Arsebal recruotmentis a disgrace.
We are totally short up front on striker, RW and AM.
We have or are selling ESR, Fabio and Eddie. That is is our weakest area.
We urgently need a RW and Striker.
Havertz is not striker, he is in fact a failed transfer as are nearly all of Arteta attacking signings. Except for Odegaard and Trossard, who by tje way was back up signing with little pressure.
William, Fabio, Jesus, Havertz have all flopped fkr wjat they are bought forrecruotmejt strategy has heen wrong for four years now whichbis why we always just miss out.
Havertz is not the answer and will never win us the PL or CL. JESUS is allergic to scoring and just wants to do fancy dribbles without end product and is walsu injured for 4 to 5 months every year amd always comes back at crucial time and costs us tje League every season.
Arteta can leave this year if PL is not won. Ots his failed recruitment that hadnblufht bonattacking players