According to sources, Arsenal is prepared to award a member of Spain’s team that won the European Championship the “contract of a lifetime.”
On Sunday night, Luis de la Fuente’s team defeated England 2-1 to complete an undefeated Euro 2024 campaign. Goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal made it happen.
Spain won three individual awards for their outstanding efforts.
The best player award went to Rodri, the Golden Boot went to Dani Olmo with three goals, and the best young player award went to Lamine Yamal, who had a fantastic debut on Europe’s biggest stage.
Several players made an impression for La Roja this summer, including Mikel Merino, a central midfielder who played in all seven of Spain’s Euro 2024 matches.
The former Newcastle United player, who spent a year with the Magpies making 25 appearances in the competition, also scored an incredible late goal to help them defeat Germany in the quarterfinals.
Arsenal is ready to offer Merino a lifetime contract
Merino was a regular for Real Sociedad in La Liga before this summer’s competition.
Arsenal, in fact, has reportedly been keeping tabs on his improvement lately and is ‘plotting a move’ for this summer, according to a Telegraph story.
Aston Villa is reportedly interested in bringing Merino back to the Premier League, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, but it seems Mikel Arteta is committed to signing the midfield player.
According to the aforementioned rumours, Merino, should he choose to join the North London club, is “probably looking at the contract of a lifetime.”
Martin Odegaard, a former Real Sociedad colleague who played with Merino during his time there in 2019–20, would be reunited with him if he signed with Arsenal.
During his six-year tenure in San Sebastian, the 28-year-old has averaged over 30 appearances per season. He still has one year remaining on his contract.
Mikel Arteta says the Gunners will try and deliver big signings this summer. “We are looking to improve in every possible department,” he said.
“With the new regulations, there are certain things we have to respect and be conscious of and then obviously the Euros and Copa America are slowing everything down. Hopefully now it is going to pick up a little bit.”
