Chasing Mikel Merino: What Makes Him a Hot Commodity?

The football calendar has slowed down with the EURO 2024 Final behind us. Only a handful of leagues in Eastern Europe (Poland, Bulgaria, and Serbia to name a few) are still in action. As a result, there is not much to report about in terms of matches.

However, the football world never truly rests. There are endless transfer rumours and deals, both expected and surprising, as we approach the start of the 2024/25 season for Europe’s top five leagues. One player making headlines is Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino – who has recently been linked to Barcelona and Arsenal. But what’s driving this interest?

Name	Mikel Merino Zazón
Date of Birth	22 June 1996 (28 y/o)
Position	Midfielder
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Current Club	Real Sociedad
Former Clubs	Osasuna, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United,
Transfer Value	€50M
National Team	Spain, 28 caps

Merino’s Rise: From Bundesliga Benchwarmer to La Liga Star

Mikel Merino’s journey in football has been marked by a series of moves that reflect both his potential and his search for the right fit. He rose through the youth ranks of Osasuna’s academy, where his talent began to shine. 

His promising performances caught the eye of Borussia Dortmund, who brought him to the Bundesliga. However, his time in Germany was challenging. Under Thomas Tuchel, Merino was left out of the Champions League squad and saw limited playing time in the league.

In pursuit of regular minutes, Mikel Merino switched yet again – this time to Newcastle United in the Premier League. This turned out to be a better move, as he quickly adapted to the team’s rhythm, leading to his permanent transfer.

Despite his on-field success, Merino revealed years later that the mood of the city, the lack of sun and other cultural factors led him to reconsider his future. 

After just a year, Real Sociedad came calling, offering Merino a chance to return home. It was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up, marking the beginning of a new chapter back in Spain.

Merino’s Homecoming: A New Beginning at Real Sociedad

Merino’s first season was marred by injuries, but it didn’t stop him from playing more than thirty games during the 2018/2019 campaign.

 In the following season, Mikel Merino wore the captain’s armband for the first time in his life. Real Sociedad then extended his contract, securing his services until 2025 — just a year away now.

In 2021, Mikel Merino led ‘La Real’ to their first trophy in years, clinching the Copa Del Rey against their eternal rivals, Athletic Club. His assist for Portu’s decisive goal earned him the Man of the Match accolade and recognition as the best player by the RFEF.

How Merino Became a Key Player for La Roja

Merino also rocked it on the international stage with the Spanish National Team. After progressing through the youth ranks, he initially struggled to break into the senior team due to fierce competition. However, the arrival of Luis de La Fuente as head coach saw Merino regain his place in the squad, a decision that paid off handsomely.

Spain’s recent success owes much to Merino’s crucial contributions, notably his stunning last-minute header against Germany in the quarterfinals. 

This goal was not only important but also impressive – a header, one that required coordination from every muscle in Merino’s body. Today, Mikel Merino is a national hero, and his fairytale journey has become reality.

Merino’s Profile Under The Loop

Mikel Merino distinguishes himself as a duel-winner who roams somewhere between a pivot and an interior role. He isn’t the most creative player, but he’s the typical Spaniard who can dismantle defences with a single, brilliant pass. 

Merino’s physical presence allows him to dominate opponents, making him an authentic machine at the heart of the pitch. Though not frequently seen, Merino also has a knack for finding the back of the net, usually as a late box crasher. 

Furthermore, he’s one of the players most willing to attempt dangerous passes, looking to disrupt the opposition’s structure – a common sight in La Liga’s tactical battles. The development of Real Sociedad’s methodology in recent years has seen players like Takefusa Kubo, Robin Le Normand and Martin Zubimendi complement Merino’s style.

It’s no rocket science to understand that assembling a group of technically proficient players has contributed to La Real’s rise to the elite of Spanish football. Although their last season might have been slightly underwhelming, top clubs continue to keep a keen eye on Real Sociedad’s most consistent performer.

The Missing Piece for Barcelona?

If Merino wants to stay in the country, a potential destination would be FC Barcelona. Newly-appointed Head Coach Hansi Flick is looking to strengthen the team’s midfield, especially with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong struggling with injuries and Gavi still recovering from a year-long layoff. Currently, the only regulars are the veteran Ilkay Gündogan and the young Fermín Lopez. However, the club’s financial constraints limit their options.

It should also be added that Mikel Merino has only one year left on his contract, which could make a transfer more feasible for Barcelona. Yet, this scenario hinges on Merino’s willingness to move, which isn’t a given either. 

He has achieved a level of stability in the last few years and might be reluctant to move, particularly for a club like Barcelona, where players are often treated as commodities rather than part of a close-knit family as at La Real.

Merino’s physical profile would perfectly align with Hansi Flick’s vision, providing the defensive robustness that Barcelona has lacked since Sergio Busquets’ departure. While Merino isn’t a traditional pivot, he could thrive in a double-pivot setup.

Arsenal’s Interest in Merino: A Strategic Move

Arsenal’s interest in Mikel Merino presents a different scenario, and a move to North London appears unlikely. Mikel Arteta would likely use him as a substitute in the closing stages of matches. He would pair with Declan Rice as Arteta seeks a duel-winner to strengthen the midfield.

However, Merino’s lack of creativity might be a deal-breaker. If Rice plays as the deeper-lying midfielder, Merino would need to operate higher up the pitch, a role that doesn’t fully utilize his strengths. At the same time, if Merino plays deeper, his ability to make late runs into the box would be limited and could potentially waste his talents.

Like Barcelona, Arsenal views Merino as a market opportunity due to his expiring contract. However, it’s likely that Merino would prefer to stay in Spain, and be assured of playing – which is more likely at Barcelona than at Arsenal. Alternatively, he might choose to remain at home with Real Sociedad.