According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal look set to sign former Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino.
He reports that a verbal agreement has almost been found with Real Sociedad over a deal worth around €30m (£25m), with personal terms agreed and the player himself keen to join fellow Spaniard Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.
It’s news that feels hard to stomach for those who enjoyed his brief stint at St James’ Park, but a well-deserved reward for his superb form in La Liga and rise through the ranks with Spain, where his last-gasp header sent his country into the semi-finals of Euro 2024 last month.
The 28-year-old left Newcastle in July 2018 after Sociedad activated his £10.5m, ending his 12-month stint on Tyneside to secure a return to his homeland. Six years later, it looks like he’s on his way back to the Premier League after 24 league appearances under Rafa Benitez during the 2017/18 season.
Speaking about his time on Tyneside during an interview in 2022, he said: “I look back on those times and it was a shame I could not play more games and enjoy the fans and the league a little bit more, but my mindset right now is it was a huge year for me. I learned a lot.
“I’m really sure I’m the player that I am now because of Newcastle and all the experiences that I lived there. I’m really happy that I lived that and I wish all the best for every Newcastle fan.
“The team right now are killing it so I’m really happy for them. Even now, when I watch the games and you see over 3,000 people travelling for an away game – it’s crazy! You start to remember those times when you were playing away and you felt like you were playing at St James’ Park. I still get goosebumps. It was a crazy year for me. I miss those days a little bit, but I’m really happy where I am right now.”
🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal are closing in on Mikel Merino deal as verbal agreement is now getting closer!
Agreement in place on personal terms as Merino wants the…
Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/08/01/mikel-merino-set-for-premier-league-return-with-25m-move-close/
Author : Olly Hawkins
Publish date : 2024-08-01 05:31:18
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