Premier League survival hopefuls Newcastle United refused to let Mikel Merino leave in January but he could return to La Liga this summer.
Just two days after Mikel Merino stated that he was more than happy with life at Newcastle United, reports have emerged suggesting that the Magpies could be willing to cash in on the Spanish U21 starlet.
Merino arrived at St James’ Park initially on loan from Borussia Dortmund last summer after struggling to make an impact in the Bundesliga. But he was so impressive in his first few months on Tyneside that Newcastle took up their option to sign him on a permanent basis for £8 million as early as October, as reported by the Telegraph.
But, thanks in part to injury and the excellent recent form of Jonjo Shelvey, the former Osasuna talent has lost his place in Rafa Benitez’s side of late and has started just two Premier League games since the turn of the year.
And AS has now reported that Newcastle could now be open to offers for Merino this summer, just a few months after Benitez refused to let the midfielder go during the January transfer window.
Athletic Bilbao were heavily linked back then and are understood to still be interested. Due to the club’s strict recruitment policy, which states that they can only sign players from the Basque region, Merino is part of a very small pool of players Bilbao can genuinely bring to San Mames.
And they should have no difficulty meeting the £13.5 million asking price that Newcastle have reportedly placed on Merino’s head. Although it would be a major surprise if the Magpies let Merino go, especially for such a small fee.
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