Merino ‘close’ to signing for Real Sociedad

REAL Sociedad’s head coach has confirmed the Basque club are close to signing Mikel Merino from Newcastle United,

Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Real Betis were also chasing the 22-year-old’s signature but Sociedad have told Newcastle they will activate the £10million-plus release in the midfielder’s United contract.

Merino has told Newcastle he wants to join Sociedad and is already back in northern Spain, having agreed a five-year contract in principle with the San Sebastienbased club.

Although Rafa Benitez would have ideally liked to have kept the Spain under-21 international, Newcastle were powerless to retain a player who has a release clause and wants to depart.

The Magpies do not expect to see Merino back on Tyneside for pre-season training on Monday and the deal could be completed soon, Sociedad head coach Asier Garitano confirming the midfielder was close to joining.

“Until it becomes official, no, and I think it still has not been finalised,” Garitano - who tried to sign Merino for Leganes when the midfielder was still at Osasuna replied when asked if Sociedad had completed the signing of Merino.

“He is someone I have known for many years, when we played against Osasuna with Leganes in the Segunda Division.

“It could be a good signing for us.

“He has been at important clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle – and, at the age of 21, he has a great future ahead of him. We hope it can be completed.”

Merino has started just one match since January and made only three substitute appearances for Newcastle – and played 20 minutes in total – across the final two months of the season, during which time he sometimes failed to even make the match-day squad when fit.

The midfielder wants to be guaranteed firstteam football next season, something Benitez cannot offer Merino given Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey’s excellent recent form and that is why the Spaniard has pushed for an exit.