Arsenal ‘HIT THE BRAKES’ on Merino deal

Arsenal’s decision to take their time on signing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad has left the Spanish side frustrated.

The Gunners are close to completing their third major signing of the summer after securing David Raya on a permanent basis and adding Riccardo Calafiori to their ranks, but Mikel Arteta’s side have not been in a rush to get the deal done.

Everything is in place for the transfer to be completed – and indeed it seems it will be – but Arsenal stand accused of “hitting the brakes” on the deal by Estadio Deportivo, which claims that La Real have been left irritated by the development.

Sociedad want to announce Mats Hummels as a new signing and are also eager to accelerate their own move for a striker, which Merino’s €33.5 million transfer fee will go towards funding.

READ MORE: Merino’s Arsenal medical completed as contract and wages revealed – Romano

Merino waiting for Arsenal green light

Merino has been in London since Friday, but the Spanish source reports that since then “progress has been minimal and the bureaucracy has been tedious in these last 72 hours.”

He has filmed an emotional goodbye message for Sociedad and everything is in place from their perspective for the deal to be made official.

The Spain midfielder has even passed his medical without a hitch and is simply waiting on Arsenal to pick up the pace and complete the transfer.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024: All the Done Deals

Fabrizio Romano, who is citing a slightly smaller transfer fee, reports: “Mikel Merino has completed his medical as new Arsenal player with clubs exchanging documents, deal being sealed.

“€32m fixed fee, €5m add-ons and contract until June 2028 plus option for further season.”

Merino is expected to become an Arsenal player early in the week, with a deal even possible on Monday.

He will join a team that has made an impressive start to the season, winning their opening two Premier League matches.