Arsenal in advanced talks for Mikel Merino

Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino as the Gunners look to strengthen in midfield ahead of the new season.

The Gunners are in advanced talks with the Basque club over a deal for the Spain international, according to The Times and are close to an agreement over a £29.8 million ($39m) transfer fee. The midfielder has already reached a personal agreement with the club over a contract.

Merino has entered the final 12 months of his deal at Sociedad and had been linked with a move to north London throughout the summer window. The Euro 2024 winner was also a target for Barcelona but his future appears to lie in England.

The 28-year-old spent a season in the Premier League with Newcastle, having joined initially on loan from Borussia Dortmund before making the move permanent. A year later, he opted to leave St James’ Park in order to return to Spain to join Sociedad in 2018.

As Arsenal and Sociedad near an agreement, Merino will likely soon leave the Basque region to head to the English capital and complete a transfer. In the meantime, Mikel Arteta’s team will open their Premier League campaign with a match against Wolves on Saturday.

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