Big transfer developments this afternoon as The Telegraph report Newcastle have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign holding midfielder Mikel Merino.
Pictures have also emerged on Twitter showing him arriving at the Freeman hospital, suggesting Merino is all set to undergo a medical with the club:
@lee_ryder @SkySports_Keith @milesstarforth leaving the Freeman 5 minutes ago #nufc pic.twitter.com/eo0R3pWMeg
— Michael Gladders (@MichaelGladders) July 26, 2017
The Telegraph confirmed that a deal has been agreed with Dortmund – expected to be the activation of his €7M release clause – and that he is set for Tyneside for talks over a permanent transfer – however some sources claim it will be a season long loan with an obligation to buy.
Merino is expected to be brought in as the perfect midfield partner to Jonjo Shelvey. The Spanish U-21 international has been described as a combative midfielder whose also comfortable on the ball, meaning we could well see two ball-playing central midfielders screening the back four next season.
The report claim Dortmund saw Merino as a player for the future and were reluctant to sell him, but Newcastle were informed he was unsettled in Germany and have been quietly pursuing the deal for ‘several weeks’ – and Benitez appears all set to get his man.
