Ex-Newcastle United player Mikel Merino is attracting interest ahead of the summer transfer window. Spanish outlet El Confidencial has reported that Manchester City are willing to pay his £50million release clause.
The midfielder left Newcastle after only one season, joining Real Sociedad in the summer of 2018. He showed real promise early on but tailed off towards the back end of his one and only season at St James’ Park.
This was in part because Merino suffered an injury. In that time Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame became an immense duo in midfield, keeping him out of the starting XI.
Newcastle will regret putting Merino’s release clause at such a low price
When Real Sociedad signed Merino, they triggered his low release clause. According to ESPN, the Magpies set the clause at around £10.5million.
This was a real surprise at the time considering the promise he had at such a young age. Ultimately there was little Newcastle could do to prevent the midfielder from leaving.
He’s proved that they were wrong to set his clause so low. He’s been a top midfielder in La Liga and has been called up by Spain. Now with other top sides in England pursuing him, it further proves the claim that Newcastle missed out on a top player.
However, with the wealth of the new owners, Merino is definitely a player Newcastle should look to bring back. They have the financial wealth to do so.
But what will be a hurdle for the Toon is their lack of European football. A player of the Spaniard’s talents has shown he’s worthy of Champions League or Europa League football.
This means that Man City will be more attractive options for Merino should he want to leave the Spanish side. But in a time where the likes of Kieran Trippier have joined the club, you can never say never.
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