Merida's case finally settled after heated debate.
An independent tribunal in Spain ruled that FC Barcelona will be paid a 3.5 Million Euro compensation for the swoop on Fran Merida by Arsenal FC. Merida had signed a pre-contract agreement with them when he was 14, but quit the Catalan club days before his 16th birthday. He then joined Arsenal as a trainee as soon as he was 16. At 17, Fran Merida made his Arsenal first-team debut last month as a substitute in the 2-0 Carling Cup triumph over Newcastle United. Arsenal has offered to pay the fine, as the Gunners believe the Spanish star has the potential to become like his countryman, Cesc Fabregas, who is making waves at Arsenal after growing up in FC Barcelona youth team.
