Mikel Merino completes Arsenal medical

Arsenal will complete a transfer for Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino on Monday, as the Spanish international and Euro 2024 championship winning midfielder signs a long-term deal at the Emirates Stadium. Merino undertook a medical today and a contract has been signed. The announcement will be made tomorrow afternoon.

Merino, who had been personally recommended by manager Mikel Arteta, is seen as the missing piece of the jigsaw at Arsenal and is likely to compete with Thomas Partey and Jorginho for a place in the Gunners' first-team. With some Premier League experience at Newcastle under his belt already, Arsenal will be hoping that the central midfielder adjusts quickly to life in North London.

Arsenal have paid a reported £34.1 million transfer for Merino, of which £29 million will be paid up front to Sociedad. He has signed a contract worth an estimated £150,000 a week and will be available for the club's next game against Brighton & Hove Albion this Saturday.

The 28-year-old has 28 caps for Spain and moved to Real Sociedad in 2018, appearing 242 times in all competitions for the club.