There was not even a hint of bitterness from his manager’s mouth as Arsenal finally close in on one of Mikel Arteta’s leading summer targets.
HITC understands that the Gunners boss was central to driving home the club’s pursuit of late-blooming Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino.
A four-year contract has been on the table for weeks. And, after plenty of to-ing and fro-ing, Arsenal and Real Sociedad have now finally settled on a compromise.
Arsenal initially offered £30 million. Real Sociedad wanted £35 million. In the end, both clubs settle right in the middle; Merino will become a Gunners player to the tune of £32.6 million.
And while the timing of his departure is hardly ideal – although Real Sociedad may have already secured a replacement in Luka Sucic – head coach Imanol Alguacil could hardly have been more glowing in his praise for the departing midfield general.
Arsenal agree deal for Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino
Merino, he says, leaves with the adoration of everyone at Anoeta.
He also puts a considerable wedge of cash in Alguacil’s back pocket, La Real tripling the fee they paid Borussia Dortmund when Merino was still a budding, nomadic 22-year-old in search of a place to call home.
“I said ‘thank you very much’ to Mikel,” a gracious Alguacil tells Mundo Deportivo during his Friday press conference. “As Real’s coach, I want this kind of farewell.
“He came at 22, without making it (elsewhere). He has had six incredible years with brutal performances a cup, and five participations in Europe.
“He has left us money, 30-something million. He has gone to Arsenal.
“We want this kind of signing. He is an example. I am very happy that Merino is not here and I can explain why; I am very proud that he is taking such an important step.”
Merino may not be the usual Arsenal signing. At 28, he is far older than the sort of player director Edu Gaspar tends to prioritise.
But, with successive second-place finishes still fresh in the mind, the perennial Premier League challengers may feel Merino is worth breaking tradition for.
An experienced, readymade and allegedly ‘world-class’ option for Arteta’s starting XI. A footballer with the physical and technical talents to emulate what Granit Xhaka brought to the table from that left-sided number eight role.
Martin Keown excited as Spain ace arrives at the Emirates
Merino is a goalscorer, a creator, a dictator, and a ball-winner rolled into one 6ft 2ins frame.
The former Newcastle United man scored a career-best eight goals last season, not including the thumping header which fired Spain past Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. He also finished second in La Liga’s assist charts in 2022/23, while winning more duels than any other player in the continent’s top five leagues in the campaign just gone.
“(Merino) looks a very good one,” legendary Arsenal defender Martin Keown, a three-time top-flight champion under Arsene Wenger, tells talkSPORT (23 August, 11am). “He gives you that extra strength in the duels. He’s 6ft 2ins, he’s technically very gifted.
“Statistics (show) that he was involved in more duels than any other player, and he won 50 per cent of them. He is a ball winner.
“He gives them options.”
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