OPINION
The heavy speculation linking Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino to a return to Spain shows no sign of stopping, and the latest report is the most worrying yet.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim that Merino has been seduced by a long-term offer from Basque club Real Sociedad, with Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao also lurking.
It is said that Sociedad are now waiting for the green light from Merino to submit a formal offer for his services, with the club keen to avoid a bidding war which would drive his price up.
The report claims that Merino is set to cost between £8.8million and £13.2million this summer, with the higher figure far more likely considering the fact that Newcastle only bought him in October for around £6million.
Now, a fee of around £13million would see the Magpies earn a healthy £7million profit on a player they have only had at the club a year, but Rafa Benitez must resist any temptation to cash in.
The 21-year-old has such vast potential, which admittedly he did not show this season, but the club must be patient with his development.
Merino has the tools to go on and become a world-class central midfielder, and opportunities for Newcastle to have such a player on their books do not come around very often.
To sacrifice that chance for a £7million profit would be a massive error, and Benitez must do all he can to convince Merino that Tyneside is the best place for his development.
He must also do all he can to convince the club to pass up on a £7million profit which Mike Ashley will no doubt be salivating over.
To let Merino leave this summer would be a huge mistake, and Benitez must now work overtime to prevent that from happening.
