Arsenal recruit Euro 2024 champion

According toESPN, Arsenal agreed to pay a $36.6 million transfer fee, plus $5.2 million in add-ons depending on Merino's performance at the Emirates Stadium. Previously, the Spanish midfielder had reached a personal agreement with Arsenal, under a four-year contract with an option for a one-year extension.

Merino grew up at Osasuna's academy, before joining Dortmund and playing in the Premier League for Newcastle under Rafael Benitez in 2017-2018.

In the summer of 2018, he returned to Spain, signing a five-year contract with Sociedad. Here, he scored 27 goals in 242 matches in all competitions, winning the Copa del Rey in the 2019-2020 season. The midfielder had a one-year contract with Sociedad, but refused to extend it to move to Arsenal after being persuaded by his compatriot coach Mikel Arteta.

At international level, Merino represented Spain at U19 and U21 levels before joining the senior team and has played 28 games, scoring twice. He played in every game on the way to Euro 2024, with his most memorable moment being the header that sealed a 2-1 win over hosts Germany in the quarter-finals.

Once he completes his medical, Merino will become Arsenal's second signing of the summer transfer window of 2024. The Gunners have already signed Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori for $54 million from Bologna. They also bought goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford on loan for the 2023-2024 season.

Including Merino, 19 of Arsenal’s 25 signings under Arteta have been goalkeepers, defenders or defensive midfielders, at a combined cost of more than $650 million. That’s more than double the amount they’ve spent on their attack, which includes six attacking midfielders or strikers.

Of Arteta’s seven most expensive players, five are defensively minded – led by Declan Rice at $133 million, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus among the other attackers. This helped Arsenal have the best defence in the Premier League last season, conceding 29 goals, five fewer than champions Manchester City, and keeping 18 clean sheets. The recruitment of Calafiori and Merino suggests Arteta continues to prioritise stability at the back.

In the opposite direction, Arsenal have reached an agreement to sell Eddie Nketiah to Nottingham Forest for a fee of 40 million USD plus additional fees. The English striker has not agreed personal terms, but the deal could be completed in the next few days.

According toESPN, Coach Nuno Espirito Santo has spoken directly to Nketiah and guaranteed him playing time at the City Ground.

Arsenal easily beat Wolves 2-0 in the first round of the Premier League, and will visit Aston Villa in the second round on August 24.