Mikel Merino fee agreed – implications for Havertz and Rice

Morning.

Let’s begin with the news that Arsenal and Real Sociedad have agreed terms for the transfer of Mikel Merino. I don’t know that you can necessarily call this one a saga, because I don’t think there was ever any real doubt it would happen. Of course a deal can hit a stumbling block for all kinds of reasons, but we wanted the player, the player wanted us, and La Real were realistic enough to know this was the moment they needed to cash in on the player.

The fee is reportedly €33.5m + add-ons (which could hit €5m), which is relatively expensive for a 28 year old in the last year of his contract. However, at this point in the window most of our eggs were in this particular basket, and while we have successfully pivoted in the past, I don’t think there was any great desire to do that again. It gave Real Sociedad a bit of leverage and fair play to them, they’ve used it well.

Merino is scheduled to travel to London today for a medical, no doubt somebody is already tracking his plane, and bar any kind of unexpected problem, he’ll become an Arsenal player. The fact that he’s 28 with experience in Germany, England and Spain – as well as being a full Spanish international – means he’s probably going to get up to speed pretty quickly.

I think his position is pretty clearly defined, his qualities fit that ‘left 8’ position perfectly, with characteristics that Mikel Arteta craves. He is a DUEL MONSTER, but he can add a lot more than that. At 6’2 he’s another big lad to use in both boxes, and his arrival has implications for other players too. I don’t fully rule out the idea that we’ll see Kai Havertz in midfield again, but I suspect Merino’s presence ensures his primary role is up front, with Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard as the other options there.

It also means Declan Rice is much more likely to play as a 6, and with two veterans in the squad who both play that role, their playing time is likely to be diminished. Then…

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Author : arseblog

Publish date : 2024-08-23 06:16:48

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