Midfielder Merino has been linked with a move away from St. James’ Park this summer.
Newcastle United posted on their official Twitter account to wish linked-away midfielder Mikel Merino a happy birthday – and Toon fans have reacted by urging the Spaniard to stay.
The 22-year-old joined Newcastle on a season-long loan last summer from Borussia Dortmund, but his early performances promoted Rafa Benitez into signing the central midfielder for just £7million.
However, a back injury over Christmas and January halted the Spain youth international’s progress on Tyneside, and he managed just 103 minutes of Premier League football since January.
Now, The Chronicle claim that Newcastle will reluctantly accept bids for Merino, with the report claiming La Liga duo Real Sociedad and Sevilla interested in signing the former Osasuna midfielder.
Newcastle posted on Twitter “Happy birthday, Mikel Merino”, and fans reacted by attempting to persuade the young midfielder to remain on Tyneside – with four years remaining on his contract.
One fan said that if the club do sell Merino, then the club will have a “riot” on their “hands”.
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