Mikel Merino is reportedly open to a Real Sociedad transfer to get more game time but should Newcastle United stick with him.
Despite insisting he is happy at St James’ Park, Merino is open to leaving the club in order to achieve more game time elsewhere.
Transfer funds are limited at Newcastle and the sale of the 21-year-old could enable manager Rafa Benitez to strengthen his squad in other areas.
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A good decision?
Could the Magpies live to regret the sale of Merino considering the Spaniard’s age and promise that he showed last season when first joining on loan from Borussia Dortmund?
That temporary deal has since become permanent due to a clause in the loan agreement that made the Premier League side obligated to sign the midfield ace if he played a certain amount of games.
Initially that looked like a great deal as well, with Merino only missing three of the opening 18 league matches due to a back injury.
However, as time progressed Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey became established as the first choice in central midfield and the Spain Under-21 international spent increasingly more time on the bench.
Yet with Isaac Hayden the only other option in the middle with Jack Colback expected to be sold in the near future, as reported by the Chronicle, are the Toon giving up on Merino too soon?
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