Newcastle United are expecting the £10million sale of Mikel Merino to go through in the next two days with the midfielder having agreed a five-year contract with Real Sociedad, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper report on their website that the 22-year-old is set to return to his homeland as the La Liga club look to activate the eight-figure release clause that was included in his contract when he signed permanently from Borussia Dortmund last year, having initially joined on loan.
It is stated that Newcastle already have their first team replacement through the door in the shape of Ki Sung-Yeung, the South Korean having agreed a deal to join on a free transfer after his contract with Swansea City expired.
Good move for Newcastle?
Not really, for they will be feeling a little short changed with the £10million price that is being reported.
Having included that in his contract, it is clear that they did not expect him to be as much of a success as he was when he first joined, and they would be demanding a couple more million if they had the choice.
Still, it will likely represent a little profit, and with Ki Sung-Yeung joining on a free, it means they are not worrying about finding a replacement once he is gone.
A disappointing end to Merino’s short career at St James’ Park.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10
Likely to happen?
The release clause means that anyone could swoop in and snap him up, if the player is receptive to a move that is, and it seems that he is quite happy to move back to Spain.
A deal seems an almost certainty from here on out, and Newcastle fans will have to forget about the Spanish star.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10