The Basque club are reportedly interested in the Newcastle midfielder.
Bilbao reportedly tried to sign him last summer, but failed in their attempt as the player moved to the Premier League side instead.
The 21-year-old highly talented midfielder joined the Magpies on loan from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, and later converted his move into a permanent one.
However, it seems that Bilbao are still interested in signing the Spain U21 international. Bilbao’s hope of getting him rests on how Newcastle perform this season.
Newcastle are hovering in the relegation zone, and should the Magpies fail to secure safety for the upcoming season, Bilbao would make an attempt to lure the Spaniard next summer.
Bilbao has a tradition of recruiting players from the wider Basque region or origin, and Navarre – where Merino was born – falls under that criteria.
Merino has adapted to the pace of the Premier League nicely and has been one of the key players for Rafael Benitez’s side.
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