Leeds United are reportedly scouting Fran Merida – but Newcastle United could do with a creative central playmaker too.
Fran Merida may never have developed into the ‘new Cesc Fabregas, he may never have become the wonderkid Arsenal thought he’d be, but that does not mean Osasuna supporters love him any less.
The 27-year-old, who arrived in English football as a 15-year-old when Arsenal poached him from Barcelona’s famous academy, is rebuilding his reputation in the Spanish second tier after the decision to swap The Emirates for Atletico in 2010 left his career in tatters.
As it stands, Osasuna are just two points off the top of the Segunda table with Merida pulling the strings from central midfield. And, according to The Mail, there is a real chance that the Spaniard could make a shock return to British shores with Championship league leaders Leeds United sending scouts to watch him in action recently.
Yet, Newcastle United could do worse than to enhance their own creative options with the reborn Merida, particularly after they struggled for creativity in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.
And, intriguingly, Merida could forge an impressive partnership with one Mikel Merino. After all, the former replaced the latter once he got his big break with Borussia Dortmund last summer.
The prospect of two Spanish schemers controlling the tempo for Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle is certainly an interesting one. Merino has shone after a difficult start to life on Tyneside and, with The Magpies overreliant on Matt Ritchie in the final third, his Osasuna successor could come in handy too.
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