Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of securing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, with the Gunners 'reaching a verbal agreement' with his Basque club.
There has been a host of speculation surrounding Merino's future in recent months, with Barcelona, at one stage, believed to be at the head of the queue for the Spain international.
However, Arsenal's interest in the Euro 2024 winner has intensified of late, and according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Merino is now on the verge of securing a return to English football.
Romano claims that the Gunners have agreed to pay €32m (£27.2m) plus €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons for the central midfielder, who is set to sign a contract at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2028.
It is understood that Merino made it clear from the start of the summer that he only wanted to move to Arsenal despite having other options off the back of an excellent season for Real Sociedad.
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Arsenal 'reach verbal agreement' over Merino deal
Merino is set to become Arsenal's third signing of the summer, with David Raya's loan switch from Brentford being made permanent, while Riccardo Calafiori has arrived from Bologna.
The 28-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Real Sociedad, meaning that a transfer during this summer's market was always likely to occur.
Merino was left out of the squad for his Basque club's opening game of the new La Liga campaign, with La Real head coach Imanol Alguacil confirming Arsenal's interest in the midfielder.
The Spaniard is now allegedly preparing to head to London to undergo a medical ahead of signing a four-year contract at the Emirates Stadium with the option of a further 12 months.
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How did Merino fare in his first spell in English football?
Merino has experience of playing in the Premier League, having turned out for Newcastle during the 2017-18 campaign, scoring once in 25 appearances for the club.
The midfielder initially arrived at St James' Park on loan from Borussia Dortmund, but the switch was made permanent in October 2017, signing a five-year contract at the club.
Merino was on the move again in July 2018, though, penning a five-year deal with Real Sociedad, and he has made 242 appearances for his current side, scoring 27 goals and registering 30 assists in the process.
The midfielder managed eight goals and five assists in 45 appearances at club level last term before playing an important role in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, featuring in all seven of his country's games at the competition, while he scored a late winner against Germany in the quarter-finals.
Matt Law
