Newcastle United have been linked with a move for the Spanish star.
According to the Mirror, Fernando Torres wants a January return to the Premier League, with Newcastle United one of his preferred destinations, and if the Magpies pull off a deal another Spaniard could be vital to his game.
Mikel Merino has been brilliant since arriving at St. James’ Park in the summer and, while he is currently side-lined with a back injury, he could be the man to get the best out of Torres if the latter completes a loan move in January.
The 21-year-old’s passing range is superb and he has already shown a confidence that belies his age, but he could really come into his own playing behind a player of Torres’s quality, even if the Spanish international is approaching the twilight of his career.
The 33-year-old needs midfielders who know how to supply killer passes and one particular early moment of magic during Merino’s Newcastle career showed just what he is capable of when he is on his game: a sublime pass with the outside of his foot against Wolfsburg in a pre-season friendly.
More of that and Torres could hit the ground running at Newcastle, under a manager he knows extremely well in the form of Rafa Benitez.
There is no guarantee that Newcastle will bring Torres back to England at the turn of the year but, if he does, expect Merino to work his own form of magic behind him.
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