Newcastle’s proposed deal to sell Mikel Merino to Real Sociedad is still in the works and is yet to be finalised, it has been confirmed by the Spanish club’s manager.
Speaking on Spanish radio channel Radio Euskadi, as quoted by the Chronicle in their live transfer blog [o8:25 am], Asier Garitano stated that a deal is still in the works, and that he hopes they can strike a deal.
“Until it becomes official, no, and I think it still has not been finalised,” Garitano stated when asked about the possible transfer.
“He has been at important clubs like Dortmund and Newcastle – and, at the age of 21, he has a great future ahead of him. We hope it can be completed.”
Merino, 21, has fallen out of favour under Rafa Benitez at St James Park, and could be sold to European club Real Sociedad as makeweight for potential incomings this window.
OPINION
Mikel Merino is a promising talent, but it is clear that the midfielder is not quite hitting the heights demanded by Benitez at Newcastle. The 21-year-old still has his entire career in front of him, and the prospect of earning more first-team minutes in his home country must be enticing for the Spaniard. Merino was brought to the Tyneside from Borussia Dortmund, which speaks volumes about how highly he is rated as a player. The move could facilitate Benitez to then target other players, as the former Liverpool’s managers hands are tied in terms of transfer funding. The deal is still likely to go ahead, as Garitano states they’re hoping to finalise the transfer, yet it could be a matter of Newcastle finding a suitable replacement in lieu of Merino before his sale in sanctioned. One must wonder whether or not a loan move might benefit both parties more so than would a permanent move, as the promising midfield ace still is only 21, and has plenty of time to develop. Yet the experience of Rafa makes one believe that he knows a good player when he sees one. Merino featured for the Magpies 25 times last season, and showed signs that he was a true talent. Newcastle could be letting go of him too early.