Midfielder Merino’s move back home becomes a Real-ity at last
MIKEL Merino has finally completed his move to Real Sociedad, writes LEE RYDER.
The midfielder is believed to have signed for the La Liga club for a fee of around £10million after Sociedad activated his release clause.
Real Sociedad announced the deal and stated they’d landed a player of: “Great vision, great passing and physical power.”
A United statement read: “The 22-year-old leaves St James’ Park for an undisclosed fee having made 24 Premier League appearances for the Magpies, scoring once in a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
“Merino initially joined Newcastle United on loan from Borussia Dortmund last summer before the option of a permanent transfer was exercised in October 2017.
“The midfielder’s new club, which is based in San Sebastián – just over 50 miles from his hometown of Pamplona – finished 12th in the Spanish top flight last season.
“Everyone at Newcastle United wishes Mikel the best for the future.”
Merino’s exit was unavoidable in the eyes of Rafa Benitez who loses the player’s services just a year after signing him from Borussia Dortmund.
He said: “It was a pity because obviously he wanted to play more football. He is a young player and he struggled to get back into the team because [Mo] Diame and [Jonjo] Shelvey were doing so well.
“That meant Merino didn’t get much game-time, then we had three or four Spanish clubs who were interested in him.
“In the end it was something we couldn’t control because he decided to go. We knew that could happen, so we had to be prepared – and in the end we were.”