Premier League strugglers Newcastle United sold Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino to Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window.
Remind us again why Newcastle United sold Mikel Merino?
After 12 largely promising months on Tyneside, the gifted Spanish U21 international was sold to Real Sociedad for £10 million.
Speaking to the Chronicle, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez suggested that he had little choice but to let Merino go after he fell out of favour towards the end of his debut season at St James’ Park.
But, while Newcastle are bottom of the Premier League table and winless after eight games, Merino is reminding Benitez what he lost.
The 22-year-old has made a superb start to life with La Real, starting four times and scoring a wonderful left-footed winner in a recent 1-0 win away at newly promoted SD Huesca.
It seems that Merino is making a positive impression on Spanish football viewers, including grateful Sociedad fans.
This time last year, Benitez told the Chronicle that the former Osasuna and Dortmund midfielder reminded him of a young Xabi Alonso.
12 months on, Merino is starring elsewhere while his replacement at St James’ Park – Ki Sung-Yeung – has played just 180 minutes of football with his lack of mobility a cause for concern, according to the Chronicle.
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