Real Sociedad have already sold Robin Le Normand to Atletico Madrid, and they are about to close their second big-money deal in as many weeks.
As reported by Matteo Moretto, Arsenal are closing in on an agreement with La Real for the signing of Mikel Merino. The 28-year-old midfielder, who had also been wanted by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, has been destined to leave Donostia-San Sebastian this summer as he has no plans to extend his contract, which expires in 2025.
Exclusiva.
El Arsenal está a un paso de Mikel Merino.
En las últimas horas el club inglés ha presentado una oferta verbal de 30 millones de euros más bonus y el acuerdo con la Real Sociedad está a punto.
Mikel Merino ya ha dicho sí a los Gunners. pic.twitter.com/yWVaWTxurr
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) July 31, 2024
A proposal worth in excess of €30m has been presented by Arsenal, and it’s expected that La Real will give the green light in the coming days. Merino has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League giants.
On the back of this, La Real are already working on a replacement, with a deal to sign Carlos Soler from Paris Saint-Germain currently on the cards, as revealed by Moretto.
Exclusiva.
La Real Sociedad está en negociaciones avanzadas con el Paris Saint-Germain por Carlos Soler.
Es el tapado para suplir la marcha de Merino.
Javi Guerra, más lejos.
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) July 31, 2024
Losing Merino is a big blow for Real Sociedad, although they will at least be handsomely compensated now, rather than losing him for free next summer. The money from this deal, and from the Le Normand arrangement, will help in their bid to reinforce Imanol Alguacil’s squad for the 2024-25 season.
