The price could be even higher if Arsenal successfully bid for Ademola Lookman from Atalanta in addition to bringing in Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal have finally reached an agreement with Real Sociedad for star midfielder Mikel Merino. According to the latest information, the 28-year-old European champion is preparing to travel to London to complete the transfer.
Mikel Merino (8) in Sociedad colours
Arsenal will pay Sociedad €33.5 million, plus €5 million in add-ons if Mikel Merino meets certain performance and appearance requirements. This is a pretty high price considering Merino’s contract with Real Sociedad ends next year, not to mention that this offer is even higher than Arsenal’s initial offer.
However, “the house has nothing but conditions”, Arsenal is not too concerned about the fee because coach Arteta really needs to strengthen the midfield, not to mention he also gets to work with a fellow Basque player when everything promises to only be better and better.
Mikel Merino scores against Germany in Euro 2024 quarter-finals
If the deal goes through, Arsenal will have a very strong, steely midfield capable of both one-on-one and aerial duels with any opponent. According to statistics, Merino is among the midfielders with the best 50/50 ball-winning ratio in Europe. The 1.88m tall player Merino’s excellent heading ability will also provide Arsenal with an additional option in aerial duels, which is already their strength.
Merino has played over 2,000 minutes in each of the last six seasons for a team that has consistently finished in the top six of La Liga. His consistent form has also earned him 28 caps for Spain, for whom he scored the winning goal against hosts Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Coach Mikel Arteta wants to work with a good compatriot like Merino
At Real Sociedad, Merino’s attacking role has been relatively underwhelming, averaging just 1.34 shots per 90 minutes over the past three seasons. His passing numbers are not particularly impressive either, but given the role of a link between a deep-lying playmaker and a playmaker like Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, Merino could be at his best. His third-best recovery rate of 4.49 in La Liga is significant in a role where he can receive the ball a lot in the box, win it back in defence without having to carry too much of the burden of possession, which is exactly what Arteta is looking for from Merino.
Along with the Mikel Merino deal that is about to be completed, Arsenal are also offering a transfer fee of 50 million euros, plus central defender Jakub Kiwior in exchange for the services of Ademola Lookman from Atalanta.
Ademola Lookman scores hat-trick in Europa League final
The Nigerian international spent two years at Everton in the Premier League before moving to RB Leipzig, Fulham, Leicester and then Atalanta. Lookman made 79 appearances in Serie A, scoring 32 goals and won the Europa League with Atalanta in May 2024.
According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Lookman has stopped training with Atalanta’s permission when approached by representatives of Arsenal. Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini is very fond of Jakub Kiwior, so the negotiation of Lookman’s transfer has a very good chance of success.
Lookman chooses Nigeria over Three Lions
Ademola Lookman, born in Wandsworth, London, has won 32 England youth caps and won the 2017 World Cup with England U20s. However, Lookman has since decided to play for his native Nigeria, where he has made 23 appearances and scored six goals.
Lookman is a dangerous goalscorer.
The highlight of Lookman’s career to date was perhaps scoring all three goals in Atalanta’s 3–0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final, becoming the first player to do so in a single-leg European Cup final since 1969.
Rookie Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal have already signed defender Riccardo Calafiori, made goalkeeper David Raya permanent and are considering a move for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, with Mikel Merino and Ademola Lookman also on the cards. Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe is the only first-team player to have joined Fulham for £27m.
