Premier League club, Arsenal have agreed a £32.67million deal in principle with Real Sociedad to sign Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino.

The 28-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with the option of a further year.

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.

Merino was part of the Spain team that won Euro 2024 and featured in all seven matches in the tournament, scoring a late winner against Germany in the quarter-final.

He would be Arsenal’s third signing of the transfer window, after Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori and Spain goalkeeper David Raya, with the Gunners activating the option to permanently buy him from Brentford.

Merino can operate as a deeper-lying midfielder and it is thought he would complement Declan Rice, who played a ‘box-to-box’ role at times last season.

Merino, who has 28 caps for Spain, made 45 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring eight goals.