Mikel Merino set for Arsenal medical after £33m fee agreed for key midfield transfer target

Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Real Sociedad for midfielder Mikel Merino.

The Gunners are set to pay €33.5million (£28.4m) upfront with a further €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons.

Merino now needs to undergo a medical before putting pen to paper on a long-term contract, with personal terms already agreed.

The signing of the 28-year-old will bolster Arsenal’s midfield ranks, with Merino set to play as a No8.

The midfielder played a key role in Spain’s march to winning Euro 2024 this summer, appearing in all seven of their matches.

Arsenal’s interest in Merino pre dates that, though, and he was scouted last season when he excelled for Real Sociedad.

The Gunners are looking to get players out the door before the transfer window closes next week, with striker Eddie Nketiah currently the closest to leaving.

Nottingham Forest are in talks with Arsenal and there is optimism a deal can be struck for around £30m.

Nketiah has slipped down the pecking order at Emirates Stadium and has not started a competitive game for them since New Year’s Eve.

At 25 years old, it is accepted that he needs to be playing regular and both he and Arsenal are ready to strike a deal for him to leave Emirates Stadium.

Forest want to sign a new striker before the transfer window closes and are also interested in Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez.

The Mexican has impressed since moving to the Netherlands and he scored 26 goals in all competitions last season.

The 23-year-old has carried that form on this season, scoring four goals in the opening three games of the campaign.

Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal want Merino and Osimhen; Man Utd agree Ugarte deal

Man Utd 'to sign Ugarte on loan-to-buy deal' as key transfer deal finally agreed

Forest confident of Nketiah deal after positive talks with Arsenal