Aston Villa boss Unai Emery would ‘love’ to bring former Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino back to the Premier League but Real Sociedad are likely to demand a club-record fee of £55 million in January, according to Mundo Deportivo.
It’s testament to the veritable treasure trove of central midfielders at Luis Enrique’s disposal that Merino, one of the best and in-form players in all of La Liga, was left out of Spain’s World Cup squad alongside the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Sergio Canales.
If the Real Sociedad playmaker was born in almost any other nation, he’d have been all-but guaranteed a seat on the plane to Qatar. As it is, Merino will not be adding to his collection of 11 caps over the next few weeks. That is despite his quite outstanding form at the beginning of the current campaign with Real Sociedad.
Unai Emery wants former Newcastle United ace Mikel Merino at Aston Villa
No one in La Liga has more than his six assists; Merino pulling the strings and breaking the lines with his sumptuous passing range.
Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil, meanwhile, said last year that there is no one better in the division than the one-time Dortmund and Newcastle United youngster. Quite the claim. Especially when you consider Luka Modric, Vinicius Jr, Karim Benzema and Pedri and also plying their trade on Spanish soil.
“I said it before and I’ll say it again in case it’s not clear,” Alguacil said. “Mikel Merino is the best player in La Liga.”
As you might expect, Sociedad won’t let the stylish 26-year-old leave without a fight. Merino has a £55 million release clause in his contract. Any offers below that are likely to be batted away; reports saying that ex- Villarreal coach Emery would ‘love’ to offer Merino a second go at the Premier League.
The silky Spaniard started 14 league games for Newcastle in 2017/18. He was popular with the supporters too, his wand of a left foot weaving plenty of magic, but departed after just one year at St James’ Park.
It is not inconceivable, of course, that Aston Villa could stump up a colossal fee for Merino. They have some of the richest and most ambitious owners in the Premier League, after all. And it’s unlikely Villa would have hired a coach of Emery’s talents without promising to back him.
If they did trigger Merino’s clause, then his future would be out of Sociedad’s hand.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
