Imanol, Real Sociedad coach, praises Arsenal-bound Merino

Over the past 24 hours, Arsenal has successfully secured an offer from La Real for the Spain Euros winner.

Imanol said on Friday:  “I am very happy, I am very proud that Mikel Merino has taken this important step, it speaks very highly of Real Sociedad, of the work we have done and above all of him.

"He arrived at 22 and leaves at 28, a player like the top of a pine tree. He gave us performances, he made the team grow, we won a Cup with him, five European qualifiers, a crazy Champions League and he leaves us around thirty million euros. This is the type of earnings we want."

Imanol then added: “Thank you and let's bring out another Merino. It's over, from now on, it's about only those of us who are here."