After just one season of Premier League football with Newcastle United, Mikel Merino could reportedly return to Spain with La Liga side Real Betis.
Newcastle United looked to have pulled off one of the signings of the season when they brought in Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund last summer on loan.
And, after a series of impressive performances which saw him compared to none other than Xabi Alonso by his manager Rafa Benitez, Newcastle did not wait around to snap up Merino on a permanent deal. The switch, which was announced back in October by the Telegraph, was understood to have cost £8 million.
Since then, however, Merino has gone from first-team star to forgotten man. A back injury around the festive period allowed Mo Diame the chance to establish himself in the first-team, and the once derided Senegalese midfielder embarked on a one-man mission to save his career at St James’ Park.
With Diame in the form of his life and Jonjo Shelvey looking a more reliable and composed presence in the centre of the park, Merino simply could not force his way back into the side. The Spanish U21 ace made just two starts between January and May.
But that does not mean Newcastle should let him go.
It is understood, meanwhile, that Newcastle are willing to negotiate. But why should they?
Merino is just 21 and it should not be forgotten just how excellent he was during the first half of the season, giving Newcastle a precision and class on the ball that a rather workmanlike side were missing at times.
He can only get better under Benitez and there is a real feeling that Newcastle would seriously rue letting him go somewhere down the line. It is not often the Magpies can get their hands on a player with Merino’s quality and potential and he should not be written off so early.
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