Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is a fan of Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino, according to Calciomercato.com.
Magpies goalkeeper Rob Elliot revealed yesterday that he fears that the club could lose the playmaker to either Real or Barcelona in the future if he continues his good form:
“I certainly see him [Merino] in a bracket where clubs like that [Real and Barcelona] come into it, considering his age. It’s only a matter of time before the very top clubs come looking at him, but we want to be a top club, too. We want him to stay here, we don’t want to see any of our top players up for sale again. That is the mentality now. We bring them through, the manager is here.”
Merino scored the winning goal against Crystal Palace on Saturday after coming on as a substitute. The 21 year old has impressed manager Rafa Benitez so much during the early stages of his Newcastle career that the Spaniard has already taken up the club’s option of signing the player on a permanent basis.
The midfielder joined the Magpies from Borussia Dortmund on an initial season long loan back in July but after than less than ten appearances for the club, Merino will be signed for £8m next summer.
Whether the likes of Real and Barca will come calling in the future, it remains to be seen. Merino has just started life at St James’ Park and fans will be hoping for more impressive displays in the years to come.
