OPINION
Newcastle United have one huge advantage over Manchester City in the race to sign Real Sociedad keeper Gerónimo Rulli.
The north-east giants can offer Mikel Merino in part-exchange for the Argentine, 26, to seal what would be an intriguing signing.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Newcastle have joined the race to sign Rulli but are sweating over the intentions of the Premier League champions.
The Spanish newspaper claim that City have a £12.2million option to re-sign Rulli, 26, by 30 June after selling him to the La Liga club in January of last year.
The intentions of Pep Guardiola’s side are unclear, although they already have an outstanding number one in Ederson and an able deputy in Claudio Bravo.
Newcastle have an army of goalkeepers on their books, with Martin Dubravka signing permanently earlier this month after an impressive loan, while the club also have Rob Elliot, Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman on their books, not to mention Matz Sels (although he is set to join Anderlecht permanently).
Perhaps Rafael Benitez is planning to listen to offers for one of Elliot and Darlow – perhaps both – while rising star Woodman is likely to be loaned out against next season.
Assuming Newcastle’s interest in Rulli is genuine – and there is no reason to believe it is not – they can use Merino as collateral to hijack City’s option and swing the deal their way.
Sociedad are pursuing midfielder Merino. That is clear from widespread Spanish reports and Newcastle appear willing to cash in on him after he made a big impact following his initial arrival last summer before struggling to break up the Jonjo Shelvey-Mo Diame partnership in the second half of the campaign.
With Merino and Rulli valued similarly – Newcastle’s asking price is said to be £10.5million – the Premier League based man could be offered in part-exchange for the goalkeeper.
Rulli has come on in leaps and bounds since being sold by City 18 months ago and could be a fine signing for Newcastle.
