Newcastle United are said to be keen to sign Thiago Maia, and if he joins then Mikel Merino looks likely to depart.
The midfielder is said to rank highly on Rafael Benitez’s list of targets for the summer.
And if Maia did arrive, it seems likely that he would be a replacement for Mikel Merino.
The future of the Spanish midfielder at St. James’ Park is currently very uncertain, with interest mounting in him.
Merino enjoyed a great start to life at Newcastle after signing for £7 million from Borussia Dortmund (Chronicle), but struggled as the season went on.
Merino could now make a swift departure from Tyneside, and Maia certainly looks like a replacement.
Maia shares a lot of the same qualities as Merino, plays in exactly the same position and is only 21, meaning he has years ahead of him to develop.
The Brazilian would not necessarily go straight into Newcastle’s starting line-up, but he would offer good cover.
And if Maia is to arrive at St. James’ Park, it would make Merino’s departure look a lot more likely.
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