It’s official now: Mikel Merino is now a new Arsenal player. The soap opera of the summer comes to an end after several weeks of negotiations and uncertainty. The player has signed his new contract a few minutes ago as Fabrizio Romano has announced and this newspaper has confirmed. One of the best signings in the history of Real is gunner in exchange for 33.5 million euros plus another five in the form of variables. Sign for the next four campaigns plus another optional one.
As reported by NOTICIAS DE GIPUZKOA, from the beginning Mikel Arteta’s men were the best placed to take over the player’s services, and so it has been. The player wanted to return to the Premier after his fruitful time in Donostia, and for that his namesake Arteta has been keyThe first striking indication came when he was left out of the friendly against Union Berlin due to “load management”, and the worst omens could already be expected.
Jokin Aperribay He traveled to the British capital to close the transfer of the Pamplona native as soon as possible under favorable conditions for the txuri-urdin entity, and although it is a great loss from a sporting point of view, economically Real Madrid have withdrawn more than half of their clause with one year left in their contract. From the beginning, the three parties were in favor of making the operation successful and condemned to understand each other, although other teams such as Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid and Juventus also showed interestThe player flew to London last Friday and underwent a medical over the weekend. The officialisation has been delayed due to a number of minor issues still to be resolved.
All the money will not go to Real
The money that Real will receive for Merino will not go entirely to the club’s coffers. Due to the early age at which he left Osasuna and his time at the club, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastlewill make these three teams benefit from the solidarity mechanism established by FIFA, which amounts to 4,5% of the total transfer fee except for training rights. Merino arrived in Donostia at 23 years old, so health would be done with the 3,5%and both the Germans and the British with the remaining 1% (0.5% for each).
Merino’s first club, the friendwill not receive any financial compensation because the player left the club before the age of twelve, the age at which this mechanism comes into effect.
Opens the door to a central defender
In this way, the number ‘8’ is free for a hypothetical signing. It is known by everyone that the club is looking for a centre-back “with experience to accompany Jon Martín”, as Aperribay declared. One of the most liked is Mats Hummelscurrently without a team and who is very close to joining Donostia for a season. The German, runner-up and in the best eleven of the last Champions League, is liked by the board and the coach, so Unless there is a surprise, he will wear the txuri-urdin jersey.
Merino’s legacy
Whether Mikel Merino has been or not the best signing in the history of Real is a subjective debate and everyone will have their own personal opinion, but what is clear is that he leaves a mark that is difficult to erase. Six seasons have been enough for him to enter the hearts of all the fans, with memorable matches that will forever be in the annals of Real Madrid.
He arrived in Donostia as a promising player who had yet to really take off, and the truth is that his first season as a txuri-urdin player left a lot to be desired. In his second year, the historic season with Odegaard and Isak, the Real Sociedad number ‘8’ became one of the best midfielders in the league championship. A true box to box and winner of duels that He was crowned on April 3, 2021 in La Cartuja playing infiltrated due to a back injuryHe sacrificed the Eurocup to be champion with Real.
In his last years, with Real Madrid qualifying for the Champions League and Europa League, the Pamplona native has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the old continent, with a very high percentage of duels won. A player who leaves Gipuzkoa after 242 meetingsof which 219 has started as a starterin which he has scored 27 goals and has provided 26 assists. Absolute legend.
