Mikel Merino has been linked with a shock departure from Newcastle United, according to reports in Spain.
Marca reported earlier today that Newcastle United could offload midfielder Mikel Merino.
Athletic Bilbao are long-time fans of the Newcastle star, who only made his move to St James’s Park permanent in November after initially joining on loan from Borussia Dortmund.
Bilbao have cash on the hip after selling Aymeric Laporte to Manchester City for £57 million and the Spanish publication claimed that they could go after Merino again.
It has been a dreadful season for the Magpies, who sit one point above the relegation zone, but for so long the 21-year-old has looked like the only thing remotely positive to come out of last summer’s fiasco.
And suffice to say Newcastle fans aren’t in the least bit happy over the prospect of United selling him.
The anger is completely justified, but fortunately for Newcastle fans this one doesn’t make a great deal of sense.
Manager Rafael Benitez is obviously a fan of the Spain Under-21 international and there’s a good chance that he views him as somebody to perhaps build a team around, when and if he ever gets significant investment to do that.
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