Real Sociedad head coach Asier Garitano has confirmed that the La Liga club are close to completing a deal to sign Mikel Merino.
The Spaniard has a release clause (believed to be above £10m) in his contract and the Basque side look favourites to secure the 22-year-old’s signature.
Garitano was asked by Radio Euskadi (translated by the Chronicle) whether they had completed the signing, he replied:
“Until it becomes official, no, and I think it still has not been finalised.”
Some fans on Twitter are not happy with how the club have handled the situation:
Selling merino what a joke #nufc
— Matty (@MattyRowan98) 28 June 2018
So no cover in center mid except for Hayden really?
— Ron Robins (@Cheerfullron) 28 June 2018
He’s done nothing of note since he arrived, to slow and not strong enough for English football. Will be better suit in Spain, France or Italy.
— Phill Donkin (@donkin_phill) 28 June 2018
Dragging on all summer…. ????????♂️
— David Stratton (Slothy Vlogs) (@nufcshifty) 28 June 2018
Don’t get this whole situation !
— Scott Adam Lapping (@Scott_Lapping) 28 June 2018
He’s 100% away, so any ideas when we actually get a replacement signed?
— Jamie Storey (@jamiewstorey) 28 June 2018
We need a squad of top footballers to compete. The way we’re going we’ll barely have 11
— Nigel Taylor (@nigsytaylor) 27 June 2018
The future under Mike Ashley is simple and as it has always been. No progress.
— Paul Gordon (@pag1953) 27 June 2018
We won’t hang on to players who want to leave?
— Carlos (@Mecky231) 27 June 2018
Verdict:
I’m not happy to see the midfielder go, and the club have really made a mess of this. Agreeing to such a low buyout fee was always a risk if the player wants to leave.
You can criticise Merino for forcing a move away from St James’ Park but the Chronicle report he was told by Rafa Benitez that he wouldn’t be guaranteed first-team football next season. You can hardly blame the Spaniard for wanting to return home to play more regularly.