Tag Archives: Edu

Mikel Merino Completes Move From Real Socieded to Arsenal

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Mikel Merino is officially switching sides…

The 28-year-old Spanish professional footballer has completed his move to Arsenal from Real Sociedad in a deal reportedly worth €37.5 million ($41.9m), per ESPN.

Mikel MerinoMerino, who has agreed to a four-year deal, was part of the Spain team that lifted the Euro 2024 title, contributing most notably with an extra-time winner against Germany in the quarterfinals.

The deal is thought to be €32.5m plus €5m in add-ons.

Arsenal sporting director and former midfielder Edu said of the transfer: “We are so happy to have completed the transfer of Mikel Merino. This has been another great team effort from many people at the club to finalize the transfer of a player who attracted interest from a number of clubs over the summer.

“Mikel was a key target for us this summer, and we identified him as a player who can fit perfectly into our squad and profile to improve us, as we aim to build on our strong performances of last season.”

Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil left Merino out of the squad for their LaLiga opener against Rayo Vallecano due to talks advancing with Arsenal at the time of the match, and he also did not feature in the team’s win over Espanyol last weekend.

Merino played 242 times for Real Sociedad, scoring 27 goals and adding 30 assists after signing for the Basque club in 2018.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has been a fan of the player for some time, and believes his profile — and evolution in recent seasons — is what his team needs to pursue the Premier League title.

“Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality,” Arteta said in the news release announcing Merino’s arrival.

Marquinhos Signs Long-Term Contract with Arsenal F.C.

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Marquinhos is heading to England…

The 19-year-old Brazilian soccer player has signed a long-term contract with Arsenal F.C.

MarquinhosMarquinhos, a Brazil youth international, made 33 appearances for Sao Paulo and won the Compeonato Paulista in 2021.

“We’re delighted to have completed the transfer with Sao Paulo, as Marquinhos was a player we had been watching for a while,” Arsenal technical director Edu said.

“At 19, he is still very young, so he is a player for the future. We look forward to Marquinhos now joining us for preseason, making his new home, and continuing to grow and develop with us.”

ESPN previously reported that the deal would be worth €3.5 million and that the clubs agreed a fee after Marquinhos rejected multiple contract offers from the Brazilian club and sources suggest Arsenal moved quickly to secure a cut-price agreement.

Marquinhos is a left-footed forward also able to operate as a winger, but he is viewed by Arsenal as a future prospect rather than an immediate first-team signing.

Pablo Mari to Join Arsenal on Loan

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Pablo Mari is headed to Londontown…

The 26-year-old Spanish professional footballer, currently a central defender for the Brazilian club Flamengo, has agreed a move to Arsenal on loan until the end of the season, with the option to make the deal permanent in the summer.

Pablo Mari

The move ends what turned out to be a topsy-turvy transfer deal that initally stalled and saw the defender return to Brazil.

The clubs seemingly agreed to the deal last weekend, with Mari traveling from Rio de Janeiro to London to undergo a medical and sign with the Premier Leagueside.

However, negotiations suffered a setback on Mondaywith Mari then returning to Brazil.

Mari put pressure on the Flamengo’s hierarchy to accept Arsenal’s offer and sources told ESPN the deal was never dead despite Flamengo putting out a statement criticizing Arsenal’s attitude.

Nonetheless, the deal now sees Mari reunite with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. Mari was on Manchester City‘s books between 2016 and 2019 — where Arteta served as an assistant for Pep Guardiola— but never actually played for the first team.

He’s due to return to London now that the deal is agreed and become Arteta’s first signing at Arsenal.

“Pablo is an experienced player who will provide us with additional defensive quality,” Arsenal technical director Edusaid.

“We have been monitoring Pablo’s career for a while and we are very pleased to have reached agreement with Flamengo for him to join us initially until the end of our season.

“Together with Mikel and his coaching team, we are all looking forward to seeing Pablo in an Arsenal shirt.”