Signing Confirmed: MIKEL MERINO
Not for the first time this transfer window, Newcastle United have pulled off a shock swoop for the player that hadn’t been mentioned at all in the press. Despite being linked with over 100 players no one saw the signing of Mikel Merino coming!
Merino, 21, joins from Borussia Dortmund on what is said to be a season long loan with an obligation to buy once an unspecified number of games have been played. The fee for his services this season is in the region of £6m, which certainly feels more like a down payment than something NUFC would folk out for a loan.
The structure of the deal will certainly suit Rafa who, with Lee Charnley, is stretching every penny of their transfer budget.
As the story broke on social on Wednesday afternoon Mikel was already on Tyneside having his medical and by today (Friday) the deal was done.
Having played a key role in Spain’s U21 team this summer it is clear that the young Spaniard has plenty of potential. He only joined Dortmund last season and only made 8 appearances for the German side having joined from Osasuna in 2016.
He really impressed however in his time with the Spanish club however, scoring 8 goals and making 5 assists in his 67 appearances.
Known as a box to box player, the tough tackling centre midfielder can also play in front of or even as a centre half.