The Chronicle report that Mikel Merino’s release clause means it’s only a matter of time before the Spaniard leaves St James’ Park.
ESPN reported that his buyout fee is €12m while Chronicle journalist Chris Waugh believes it to be closer to €15m (£13.2m).
With that being the case, the newspaper asked fans on Twitter about where they hope the funds will be re-invested. Supporters aren’t particularly hopeful about Rafa Benitez getting all the money:
A nice new yacht for Mrs Ashley
— Lee Peacock (@LeePeacock15) 26 June 2018
that is a simple one, we won't!
— eck (@eric1968x) 26 June 2018
More Sports Direct advertising sounds good to me ????
— Hawaay61 (@Hawaay61) 26 June 2018
Put it towards Kenedy (which I highly doubt we will) we will still need to replace Merino but this summer is looking worrying. Lots of outgoings nothing to replace with
— TMW (@TilehurstsOwn) 26 June 2018
Put in the for a rainy day
— Alan Coates (@AlanCoates7) 26 June 2018
Straight in Ashley’s sky rocket
— JAMES MUNDY (@JIMMUNDY55) 26 June 2018
A no10 is a priority, without a decent one we won’t score enough goals.
— thereal andrew young (@temperamentalan) 26 June 2018
By the time that sausage has took his cut be left with about 500k no doubt
— Darrell Watson (@DarrellWatson8) 26 June 2018
More Sports Direct advertising
— Scott Daley (@ScottDaley26) 26 June 2018
With a below average replacement.
— Liam (@ldabbs89) 26 June 2018
Verdict:
Real Sociedad are favourites to sign our no.23, with fellow La Liga clubs Sevilla, Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao also believed to be in the running.
No offer has been made to trigger the release clause yet but if the 22-year-old does depart, it will be a poor piece of business. Rafa is unlikely to see all of the money from the transfer given to him by Mike Ashley.
With relations between the fans and the club’s owner sinking to a low ebb, it’s been a pretty demoralising summer so far and Merino’s sale would be another disappointment.