Arsenal have been active in the summer transfer window with both arrivals and exits, as they bid to dethrone Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.
The Gunners have now completed the signing of Euro 2024 winner with Spain Mikel Merino from Real Soceidad on a four-year contract.
The 28-year-old makes the switch to North London for a reported fee of £27.4million with add-ons worth up to £4.2million and has the option of extending his contract for another.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been a long admirer of Merino, and stated the midfielder’s versatility and experience will be a valued addition to the team.
“Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility. He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now,” Arteta said to the club’s media.
“Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality.
“As we all saw in the summer, Mikel is also a winner, with his strong performances throughout the Euros helping Spain win the tournament. We are delighted to welcome Mikel and his family to the club and can’t wait to start working with him.”
Merino becomes Arsenal’s fourth signing of the transfer window after the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford, Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori and Tommy Setford.
Merino has played in the Premier League previously after spending a single year at Newcastle in 2018 before joining Real Sociedad, where he featured 242 times.
