Report: Benitez willing to sell Newcastle star Merino, on one condition

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Mikel Merino has been linked with a move away from Newcastle this summer.

The Chronicle have claimed that Newcastle United are willing to sell midfielder Mikel Merino this summer after reported interest from his home country, but only on one condition.

The 21-year-old joined Newcastle on loan last summer from Borussia Dortmund, but the Toon immediately activated the £7million clause in the deal to land him permanently after an excellent start to life on Tyneside.

However, a back injury at the midway point saw him lose his place in the side to Mo Diame, succumbing him to just two Premier League starts in 2018. Now, his future remains clouded.

Spanish newspaper AS claim both Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis are keen to sign the midfielder this summer, and it is understood that Spain Under-21 international Merino is interested in moving back to his home country.

Now, the Chronicle claim in a report that Benitez is willing to see the back of the former Osasuna midfielder in the coming months, but only if Newcastle can land a decent profit on the £7m outlay they paid for him in October.

Benitez has already confirmed a move for Martin Dubravka on a permanent basis, and is likely to be busy this summer if he wants to replicate this season’s miraculous 10th-placed finish.

With owner Mike Ashley keeping a tight stronghold on the Newcastle coffers, it could mean that the Spanish boss decides to offload the midfielder this summer in order to raise some extra cash.