If Newcastle’s Mikel Merino played for one of the top four, would he already be hailed a superstar?

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The Newcastle United midfielder has been brilliant since arriving on loan.

Newcastle United may have had a relatively quiet summer transfer window, but the addition of Mikel Merino has quickly proved to be a masterstroke, to such an extent that if he was playing for one of the top four it is hard to imagine the plaudits would not be raining down from every direction.

The 21-year-old signed for the Magpies in a season-long loan deal from Borussia Dortmund and has slotted seamlessly into Rafa Benitez’s starting XI, displaying a composure and passing range the envy of many in the division.

Given his age and his swift transition in a famously tough league – in a position where players far more experienced than him have come unstuck – Merino’s contribution thus far has been outstanding, and yet aside from Newcastle fans the plaudits have been relatively few and far between.

Had Merino been snapped up by Chelsea or Manchester United, or any of the other current challengers for a Champions League place, he would be hailed as a superstar in the making.

Instead he is calmly and brilliantly going about his business for a Newcastle team who were wise to make their move when no one else was prepared to.

Benitez overlooked a poor spell at Borussia Dortmund, knowing just how good the young Spaniard was, and Newcastle are now reaping the rewards.

Magpies fans will not care if Merino’s impact has been relatively under-reported in comparison with some of the mega-money arrivals at other top flight clubs, because in time the 21-year-old could outshine many of them.