Report: Sociedad lead race for Newcastle’s Merino after agreeing to activate release clause

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Real Sociedad look set to sign Mikel Merino from Newcastle United after allegedly agreeing to pay his release clause.

Real Sociedad look set to complete the signing of Mikel Merino after agreeing to activate the release clause of the Newcastle United midfielder, reports the Chronicle.

Merino has been strongly linked with a return to Spain this summer, with Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis and Sevilla having also shown interest.

However, Sociedad are the first team to agree to pay the £10m-plus release clause written into the 21-year-old’s contract at St James’ Park.

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Merino is already in Northern Spain having negotiated a five-year deal in principle with the San Sebastian club and is ready to make the move.

The transfer is not yet complete, though, and it still could take a few more weeks before it is made official – even if the Magpies don’t expect the Spaniard to return for pre-season training with them.

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez had hoped to keep hold of Merino, but could not offer the first team football the youngster was after and has since signed Ki Sung-yueng on a free as an apparent replacement.