Arteta's Long-Term Project, Arsenal Brought In Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino is Arsenal's new player (Instagram/@micelmerino).

JAKARTA - Arsenal and Real Sociedad have reached an agreement regarding Mikel Merino's transfer. The Gunners agreed to pay 32.6 million pounds to sign the Spanish midfielder.

Payments of 28.4 million of which are made upfront and the remaining 4.2 million pounds will be given once Merino has landed at the Emirates.

Merino is a player in Mikel Arteta's long-term project list. Not surprisingly, Merino is contracted for up to four years with the option of an extension in a year.

Arsenal initially wanted to sign Merino for around 25 million pounds. However, the price was rejected by Sociedad.

After going back and forth on negotiations with Sociedad, Arsenal must also increase their offerings.

Merino is Arsenal's third new player in the stock exchange this summer. In total, the Gunners have spent more than 100 million pounds after making David Raya permanent for 27 million pounds and bringing in Riccardo Calafiori for 42 million pounds.

The arrival of the Spanish national team midfielder at Euro 2024 is clear to support midfield. Arteta made Merino the top target list given the player's appearance in bringing La Roja to the Euro 2024 champions.

Mikel Merino has played 242 times for Real Sociedad over the past six years. For the Spanish national team, he has garnered 28 appearances.

The 28-year-old midfielder scored Spain's winning goal over Germany in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

Meanwhile, the left side of the midfield has become Arsenal's weakness after Granit Xhaka left for Bayer Leverkusen.

Kai Havertz, who tried to be placed at the post, was not suitable to fill the role.

Arteta also saw that Merino would fit into this role. In addition, the arrival of the midfielder certainly made the midfield line qualified, something the Gunners missed last season.

Arsenal need to fight the depth of Manchester City's troops who thwarted them in last season's Premier League title race in recent weeks.

The Gunners will finish Merino's transfer quickly so he can play against Aston Villa on Saturday, August 24, 2024, local time.