The official announcement of Mikel Merino’s transfer to Arsenal has been delayed, despite an agreement between the Premier League club and Real Sociedad being finalised last week.

The delay is not a result of any disputes or setbacks, but rather a matter of ‘scheduling preferences’, particularly on Arsenal’s end, according to Sunday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo.

The officiality of the transfer of Merino is delayed Mundo Deportivo (Gipuzkoa)25 Aug 2024 PHOTO: AP Mikel Merino performs a training session with the Spanish national team The officiality of the transfer of Mikel Merino to Arsenal from La Real, which was expected for yesterday, was delayed by the decision of both clubs, who played their second match of the season. This postponement is not due to any problem or disagreement, because the operation is a fact, but to the preferences of those responsible for both teams, especially the buyer, who, given that the one from Pamplona could not play against Aston Villa, only did part of the medical examination, successfully passed by the player, as expected. He will undergo further medical tests today. As things stand, the predictable thing is that the official announcement of the transfer will be made tomorrow, Monday. And that's when Real will broadcast the farewell video they have prepared and Mikel will say goodbye to a Real Sociedad fan. The agreement has been a fact since last Thursday, thanks to the intervention of a Jokin Aperribay present in London to negotiate with Arsenal and the last fringes of the agreement were ironed out on Friday, the day on which the footballer traveled to London from Hondarribia by private flight. The blame for everything lies with the 33.5 million euros plus five in variables that Arsenal accepted to pay for the footballer, although one of those millions will go to the coffers of Osasuna for the solidarity mechanism. Two of two from Arsenal Thus, Merino did not participate in the Real match against Espanyol, as is logical, but neither in the second duel of the course of his new team, Arsenal, which obtained a new triumph on the pitch of another rooster like Unai Emery's Aston Villa, another team and another coach who also drank the winds for Mikel for some time. They scored Trossard in the 67’ and Thomas Partey in the 77' in another encounter that served Arteta and Odegaard's Arsenal to show their credentials for the title. The London core was formed by Rice, Partey and Odegaaard
The officiality of the transfer of Merino is delayed

Mundo Deportivo (Gipuzkoa)25 Aug 2024

MD write that the transfer, which has been agreed for a fee of €33.5 million plus an additional €5 million in add-ons, was expected to be confirmed yesterday (Saturday).

However, both clubs were playing in their respective league matches, causing decision-makers to postpone the formalities. While Arsenal won 2-0 at Aston Villa, Real Sociedad also won 1-0 at Espanyol.

Merino, who did not feature in Real Sociedad’s match, has already completed part of his medical, with further tests scheduled for today (Sunday).

STUTTGART, GERMANY - JULY 05: Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
STUTTGART, GERMANY – JULY 05: Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany at Stuttgart Arena on July 05, 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Merino travelled to London on Friday, following successful negotiations between Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay and Arsenal officials in the capital.

The 27-year-old midfielder reportedly took a private flight from Hondarribia to London after the final details of the transfer were agreed.

Osasuna, Merino’s boyhood club, will receive a portion of the fee (€1m) under the solidarity mechanism.

The delay in the announcement, though minor, means that Arsenal fans will have to wait until Monday for the official unveiling which is when the Spanish publication expect the transfer to be confirmed.

Real Sociedad has prepared a farewell video for Merino, which will be released in conjunction with his departure. The midfielder is also expected to deliver a personal goodbye message to the fans who have supported him for the last six years.