Rafa Benitez is reportedly keen to bring Juventus’s Stefano Sturaro to the Premier League with Newcastle United open to selling Mikel Merino.
Back in August, after a fine start to his Newcastle United career, Mikel Merino was being compared to Spanish and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso by his manager Rafa Benitez. Less than 12 months on, however, could the former Osasuna prodigy be on his way out of St. James’ Park?
Merino started just twice during the last four months of the Premier League season, after losing his place to the in-form Mo Diame around the Christmas period and, according to AS, he would be happy to leave after just one season on Tyneside.
It is understood that Real Betis want the 21-year-old, who was signed from Borussia Dortmund for £8 million after impressing initially on loan. And the report adds that Newcastle are surprisingly open to negotiations.
And, while this will surely raise eyebrows among Newcastle fans who rate Merino highly, Benitez’s apparent interest in Juventus ace Stefano Sturaro perhaps explains why the Magpies could let him go.
The 25-year-old, a four-time Italy international, would arguably be an upgrade on Merino in the centre of the park.
While the Spaniard is a promising talent, he has a lot to learn while Sturaro has proved himself at the top level for a number of years, featuring for Italy at Euro 2016 and in the Champions League for Juventus.
A fierce competitor who would be a regular for pretty much every other Serie A team, he and Shelvey would form a formidable partnership at Newcastle.
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