Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United initially tried to sign new boy Mikel Merino in January, according to the player.
Mikel Merino became Newcastle United’s fifth summer signing last week – and he has now revealed he could have joined the club earlier.
The Spain youth international has signed on a season-long loan from Borussia Dortmund, with the German side revealing there is a permanent deal in place.
He had only been at Dortmund for a single season after joining from Osasuna, but his stay at Signal Iduna Park could have been shorter still had Rafa Benitez got his way – according to the player.
“[Newcastle] is a great, historic club in the Premier League,” Merino told Mundo Deportivo. “In the end, the player is also guided by the affection and confidence that they feel from the club.
“At all times, Newcastle have been wanting me. They already wanted me in winter last season, [but] it could not be.”
Newcastle were in the Championship at the time and failed to make a single signing in January, but Benitez was still able to guide his charges to the title.
Now, Merino has followed Christian Atsu, on a permanent deal, Florian Lejeune, Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo to St James’ Park as Newcastle look to stabilise in the top flight.
Given Benitez’s previous interest in Merino, he could have a key role to play this season and beyond, with pressure now on Isaac Hayden and Jack Colback to scrap with the Spaniard for a first team place.
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