Mikel Merino’s departure from Real Sociedad is all but certain, with the midfielder set to be allowed to leave the Spanish club at the end of the season. The 24-year-old has been a target for Arsenal in recent weeks, and it appears that he will now have the opportunity to make the switch to the Premier League.

Merino has been a key player for Real Sociedad over the past few seasons, making over 100 appearances for the club and scoring more than 20 goals. His performances have caught the eye of many top European clubs, including Arsenal.

It’s believed that Merino will be sold to the highest bidder this summer, with a fee of around €15-20 million expected to be paid by the successful bidder. This would represent a significant profit for Real Sociedad, who signed Merino from Borussia Dortmund for just €2 million back in 2017.

Arsenal are keen to strengthen their midfield ahead of next season, and Merino could be an ideal addition. The Gunners have been linked with several other midfield targets this summer, including Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey.

However, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be able to agree a deal for Merino, or if they will look elsewhere in the market. One thing is certain though – Merino’s departure from Real Sociedad is now all but inevitable.