After a good start to his Newcastle United career, Mikel Merino struggled to get regular playing time under Rafael Benitez after signing with Magpies on a permanent deal in October.
But that hasn’t stopped him having admirers in the La Liga. We carried a report from AS over the past two days suggesting Real Sociedad have managed to beat the likes of Real Betis and Athletic Club Bilbao to sign the midfielder.
Another report from AS claimed Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay flew to England to negotiate Merino’s transfer.
There has been a new twist in the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Merino’s future, if a report from Diario Vasco is to be believed. They claim that Sevilla have now joined the race to sign the Magpies player.
Ever Banega and Steven N’Zonzi, two Sevilla midfielders, are currently attracting interest from the Premier League. Both players are linked with a move to Arsenal after Unai Emery, the duo’s former coach, took charge at the Emirates.
Sevilla promoted Joaquín Caparros as their new director of football after appointing Pablo Machin as their new manager. Diario Vasco claims both of them are looking at Merino as a target, if Banega or N’Zonzi decides to leave the club this summer.
Real Sociedad are willing to offer him assurances over regular playing time, if Merino decides to join them. However, a move to Sevilla will help him play European football, something the Basque clubs are unable to offer.
Merino is currently on holiday in the United States. The 21-year-old will “determine” his future on Monday, once he returns from his vacation.
