New Delhi: The Mikel Merino to Arsenal transfer saga finally comes to an end as the Spaniard finally joins the Gunners. Merino had a significant role in the Spanish team that won Euro 2024. He appeared in all seven games and scored the game-winning goal in extra time against Germany in the quarterfinal. After Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori and Merino’s Spanish team mate David Raya, he joins Arsenal as their third summer acquisition. The club has exercised its option to purchase him from Brentford, where he was loaned a year ago. His deal involves a fee of €32m plus €5m in add-ons, in four year contract with option for one more season.
Merino, who can play as a deeper-lying midfielder, is expected to support Declan Rice, who occasionally filled a “box-to-box” role during the previous year. Additionally, he gives Mikel Arteta an additional midfield option to rival Rice, Jorginho, Thomas Partey, and Martin Odegaard.
🔴⚪️🔐 Official, confirmed. Arsenal sign Mikel Merino for €32m plus €5m in add-ons, four year contract with option for one more season.
Merino only wanted #AFC move despite two more proposals in Spain, Arteta had him on top of the list.
Deal sealed. 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/hvnkDQNGik
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2024
Mikel was acquired on a permanent contract by Newcastle United a few months after joining the team on a season-long loan that summer. He went on to make 24 Premier League appearances in his rookie campaign. Mikel was signed by Sociedad in 2018, and he has been a football player there ever since. He was a key member of the team that won the 2020 Copa del Rey and helped them qualify for the Champions League the previous season, winning 326 recoveries to outduel any other player in Europe’s top divisions for possession.
Since joining the Basque team in 2018, the 28-year-old midfielder has been an essential part of Sociedad’s squad. He made 242 games in the center of their midfield, contributing 30 assists and 27 goals. Mikel was born in Pamplona, Spain, and he began playing for the Spanish side Osasuna. He made 67 appearances and eight goals in the first squad after rising through their youth divisions. He joined Borussia Dortmund in July 2016 and contributed to their May German Cup victory.
Mikel Merino joins Arsenal as the Gunners strengthen their midfield with the addition of the talented midfielder who may turn out to be a great asset for Mikel Arteta’s side. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
