Asier Garitano’s Sociedad have been linked with a move for Merino.
Real Sociedad manager Asier Garitano has told Spanish radio station Radio Euskadi, as quoted by the Northern Echo, that he hopes to complete a deal for Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino.
The Chronicle claimed earlier this week that Newcastle are set to wave goodbye to 21-year-old Merino, just a year after joining the Magpies from German giants Borussia Dortmund.
The report claims that Sociedad have activated the £10million clause in Merino’s contract at St. James’ Park, after the Spaniard managed just 201 minutes of Premier League football since the turn of the year.
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Now, Garitano has added weight to the rumours surrounding Merino’s future, stating that he and the La Liga club hope to conclude a deal for the former Osasuna maestro.
“Until it becomes official, no, and I think is still has not been finalised,” Merino said. “He’s someone I’ve known for many years, when we played against Osasuna with Leganes in the Segunda Division.
“It could be a good signing for us. He has been at important clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle – and, at the age of 21 (sic), he has a great future ahead of him. We hope it can be completed.”
Merino burst onto the scene in black and white with a number of impressive box-to-box displays that saw him remain defensively astute but also a threat going forward – scoring the winner against Crystal Palace in a 1-0 win.
But following his impressive breakthrough, Merino suffered a back injury and failed to properly recover from the problem. It saw Mo Diame replace him, and shine in his absence alongside Jonjo Shelvey.
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