Athletic Bilbao have reignited talks with Newcastle United about signing central midfielder Mikel Merino, according to Deia.
The Spanish publication claim the La Liga outfit are back in negotiations for the transfer of Merino after attempting to land him during the January window.
Deia report that Newcastle Mike Ashley is expected to be “tough” in negotiations and is demanding £10million for the player with a bid set to be tabled imminently.
OPINION
There is a real chance of Merino returning to Spain this summer after he slipped out of the first team picture at Newcastle in the final months of the recent season. A move to Athletic makes sense, as they operate a strict transfer policy whereby they can only recruit players of a Basque origin, and Merino is one of the highest calibre players potentially available in what is a small pool of footballers who they can sign. Nevertheless, it would appear a waste for such a talented player to leave so soon after completing a permanent move to St James’ Park. Merino made an excellent start to his Newcastle career and his permanent £8million move from Borussia Dortmund was widely celebrated by fans when it was announced last October. But the Spaniard’s form plummeted after he suffered a back injury last November and he was forced to watch from the sidelines as Mohamed Diame played the best football of his Newcastle career alongside Jonjo Shelvey in a new-look central midfield partnership. Should he go, Newcastle should be looking for a fee closer to £15million than the £10million suggested.
