Arsenal are pushing to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Basque side.
Merino became a hero as Spain won Euro 2024, and the midfielder has been identified as someone who can boost Mikel Arteta’s options in the middle of the park alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
The 28-year-old has reportedly agreed personal terms, with Barcelona not pursuing a move as expected, and he could end up joining for a bargain fee of less than £25m.
Arsenal and Real Sociedad have done business amicably on several occasions in the past, and have a connection beyond business which could help secure a deal to bring the Spaniard to the Emirates.
Players who appeared for Arsenal and Real Sociedad
Former Arsenal youngster Carlos Vela, who scored 11 times in 62 games for the club, left on several loan spells before ending up at Real Sociedad, who bought him in 2012, and he went on to become a club legend for the La Liga side, scoring 73 times in 248 games.
Mikel Arteta himself played for Real Sociedad for half a season in 2004, making 17 appearances for his hometown club before joining Everton.
Arteta was born in Donostia in the San Sebastian region, and was childhood friends with Xabi Alonso, who also played for Real Sociedad.
In 2019, Arsenal sold Nacho Monreal to Real Sociedad for a bargain fee of around £250k. The experienced defender was still a starter under Unai Emery, and was a popular player as one of the most consistent left-backs of the Emirates era.
Monreal joined Real Sociedad, and the clubs did business swiftly to confirm the deal heading into the final days of the transfer window, with a strong relationship forming before Arteta even arrived at the club.
Kieran Tierney replaced Monreal at Arsenal, and the Scotland International also tried to replace him at Real Sociedad, with Arsenal loaning the left-back there last season. Injury problems meant they did not try to sign him permanently.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan spent half a season at Arsenal on loan, before joining Real Sociedad for free from Brighton in the summer of 2021.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard spent a season on loan at Real Sociedad where he was outstanding alongside Merino and Alexander Isak, which saw his side knock his parent club Real Madrid out of the Copa Del Rey with a 4-3 win at the Bernabeu.
Arsenal’s relationship with Real Sociedad could help Mikel Merino deal
Arsenal and Real Sociedad have a strong relationship as a result of some of these past deals, and Monreal’s amicable sale in particular could help secure a deal for Merino without too much difficulty.
Merino is seemingly keen on the move, and La Real would prefer to sell him now, rather than losing him for free next year.
Arsenal may be able to secure Merino for just £21m, which given his ability and experience, could be a bargain in this market, and Real Sociedad are now unlikely to make a deal difficult.
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