Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil confirms Mikel Merino to Arsenal and reveals transfer fee | OneFootball

Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil has confirmed the news that everybody was aware of – Mikel Merino is going to Arsenal. The 28-year-old midfielder had reached an agreement on terms with Arsenal some time ago, but Real Sociedad did not thrash out the details of the deal with them until this week, when President Jokin Aperribay traveled to London to close negotiations.

An agreement was found on Thursday afternoon for Merino, and the ex-Newcastle United player is traveling to London on Friday to sign the documents. La Real had come to terms with his departure when Merino did not respond to their contract offer last year. He has just a year left on his deal.

Alguacil was in no way bitter about losing his Euro 2024-winner though.

“I am very happy, I feel very proud that Mikel Merino is taking this important step, it speaks very well of Real Sociedad, the work we have done and especially of him,” Alguacil told Relevo.

He also revealed what Real Sociedad stood to make from the deal.

“He came at the age of 22 and leaves at the age of 28, an enormous player. He has performed with us, he has made the team grow, we have won a Cup with him, five European qualifications, a crazy Champions League and we are getting a little over €30m for him. This is the type of signings we want.”

The same source say the deal has been tied up for €32.5m plus €5m in variables after weeks of talks. Real Sociedad have already brought in Luka Sucic from RB Salzburg to alleviate the loss of their stalwart. Benat Turrientes has also been taking a step forward this season. Arsenal have finally got their man, and Merino arrives off the back of the greatest achievement of his career at in Germany, having played an instrumental role off the bench for Spain.