Newcastle officials say they were almost forced by Mikel Merino’s representatives to put a release clause in his Newcastle contract.
The release clause is set at around £12M and it seems Borrusia Dortmund also demanded a sell-on clause inserted into Merino’s contract.
Newcastle fans are divided on the Merino situation.
Some fans point out that if he not willing to stay and fight for his place then he should probably leave.
Some think Newcastle have made a big mistake in putting those clauses in his contract and even appear to be naive.
Those fans who rate Mikel think it will be a huge loss for the club.
And those who do not rate Mikel wonder what all the fuss is about.
Rafa Benitez congratulates Mikel Merino
Here are some of the tweets sent in by Newcastle fans on the Merino situation – which seems messy.
See you later Merino. You had a few flashes of brilliance and a shed load of potential but, quite frankly, if you don’t want to fight for your place then it’s best that you leave now. #NUFC
— Waffle F.C. (@JimmyWaff) June 25, 2018
Embarrassing that #NUFC put such a low release fee in Merino’s deal. More weakening of the squad, what a great idea……
— Marc Jobling (@MarcJobling) June 25, 2018
So Merino’s representatives “insisted” that he had a release clause put into his contract when he signed on a permanent deal and he’s expected to have one at Real Sociedad too.
I like the lad, but he’s went down in my estimations a little from all this. Commitment issues? #nufc
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) June 25, 2018
The Merino contract sounds very odd. Quite a low sell on clause if true and strange he would want one as he’s only been here 5 mins. Maybe with transfer fees going mental its the only way to ensure you can leave if you want #NUFC
— Sean (@sehol) June 25, 2018
100% agree.
Merino only played well in 4-5 games as well.
He was injured for 1/3 of the season and on the bench for the other 1/3.
He’s clearly not got the bottle or patience to wait.
Move on. Sell. Replace.#NUFC
— Burnsie ?? NUFC ??? (@BenArfaChance) June 25, 2018
We don’t half put some shit release clauses in mind! #Merino #NUFC
— Dayle (@DayleBarron) June 25, 2018
@mikelmerino1 This Merino leaving talk what actually is the f***n crack? kids got Mega talent had 1 tricky injury now we’re selling? Only reason I can see is he’s not settled in the area cause it’s not the PL style or standard he Bossed games while he was fit! Please stay #NUFC
— Kris. (@hoothoot81) June 25, 2018
Be gutted to see Merino leave #nufc
Has a big future.
— Adam Matues (@AdamMatues) June 25, 2018
Clearly the “model” only allows incomings if we can sell some from our already painfully thin squad……Mitro, Merino just the start I suspect#nufc
— Michael Gallon (@MichaelGallon) June 25, 2018
Surely and I mean, SURELY #NUFC are not letting Merino walk without a replacement lined up.
Thiago Maia would be a good replacement and an upgrade, if links at the beginning of the summer hold up.
— The Perennial Pundit (@PerennialPundit) June 25, 2018
140 comments so far
jane
Jun 25, 2018 at 11:49 PM
Comment #121tomorrow’s predictions (for what it’s worth!)
Australia 1 Peru 1
Denmark 1 France 1
Iceland 1Croatia 0
Nigeria 2 Argentina 2
ronaldo aarons
Jun 25, 2018 at 11:57 PM
Comment #122Harper
I often like to suggest transfers and names, those that I think we are able to get if we showed any ambition to be run as a football club.
Personally, never been a fan of Hernandez. If he’s not scoring he’s not offering much else. Feel Gayle offers more when they both aren’t scoring. Layun is decent but I’m sure he was at Watford and wasn’t exactly successful. Rate him better than manquillo but he seems to be staying this season. When we were linked with Herrera a couple years ago I was well excited, think he is a fabulous midfielder and very underrated. I don’t see any of these being targets this season though.
Mexico actually have been good to watch at the World Cup and what a player Lozano is and will be. Vela is finally fulfilling his potential and looks a player too, always had it in him at Arsenal. Want them to do well at the World Cup.
ronaldo aarons
Jun 26, 2018 at 12:01 AM
Comment #123I just came across reports that Sean longstaff is looking at being loaned to league 1. Why? He did well in league 1 for blackpool, why not send him to a championship club? He’s a good young player and goal scoring midfielders don’t come around too often.
lochinvar
Jun 26, 2018 at 12:20 AM
Comment #124Please define “Newcastle Officials” ?
Ashley ?
Bishop ?
Charnley ?
Nickerson ?
Rafa ?
And which of these esteemed fellows broke the a Terms of Their Contract and disclosed private and sensitive information about an employees contract ?
Anyone ?
Mister Tuff
Jun 26, 2018 at 7:29 AM
Comment #125Being on holiday I haven’t seen a lot of WC games. Watched the Portugal v Iran game last night – certainly not a football spectacle. But the Iran penalty was interesting. Never a penalty in a month of Sunday’s.
The handball has to be deliberate- cannot see how a ball headed onto an opposition players arm less than two feet away is deliberate.
The other Issue was the Ronaldo forearm smash, I am watching the games on the French tv channel TF1 so do not have all the unusual input on incidents. Why was it a yellow card if the card was for the forearm smash surely it should have been a red.
Seems that VAR is ok but the officials interpretations of incidents leaves a lot to be desired.
Mister Tuff
Jun 26, 2018 at 7:30 AM
Comment #126Unusual = usual.
The next Mike Williamson
Jun 26, 2018 at 7:45 AM
Comment #127I’m going to say the Aussies to go through along with Argentina. I’d bet on Nigeria but the fact a draw will do will probably see them attempt to defend at some stage and then they’ll get beat. Stick to what you’re good at would be my advice for them. I’m sure these two teams were in the exact same situation in South Africa 2010 with Jonas playing and Mick McCarthy commentating, repeating over and over ‘he’s not a left back’ or something like that.
The next Mike Williamson
Jun 26, 2018 at 7:57 AM
Comment #128It would have been a good game if that last minute Iran shot when in as I thought it had. A boring game with a great finish is probably better than a good game that fizzles out. And even though I like Ronaldo, I like to see him lose now and again.
Jib
Jun 26, 2018 at 8:35 AM
Comment #129k
Jib
Jun 26, 2018 at 8:38 AM
Comment #130One of the reasons the transfer market has been slow for NUFC
is a lot of the clubs we have been linked with have managers so new
they haven’t even met all of their players.
Steve McClaren Queens Park Rangers
Championship 38 days
Gary Rowett Stoke City
Championship 34 days
Manuel Pellegrini West Ham United
Premier League 34 days
Unai Emery Arsenal
Premier League 33 days
Jack Ross Sunderland
League One 31 days
Paul Hurst Ipswich Town
Championship 26 days
Frank Lampard Derby County
Championship 25 days
Marco Silva Everton
Premier League 25 days
Joey Barton Fleetwood Town
League One 23 days
Graham Potter Swansea City
Championship 14 days
Marcelo Bielsa Leeds United
Championship 10 days
and probably Chelsea very soon
RobLeenio
Jun 26, 2018 at 8:41 AM
Comment #131Jib, have we been linked with a player from Fleetwood or did you just throw that one in for funsies?
Interesting point, though – it was always going to be a struggle to get the right players in, with the World Cup and the ever-spinning managerial roundabout just two factors before we even factor in real or alleged machinations within the club
RobLeenio
Jun 26, 2018 at 8:42 AM
Comment #132Here’s an interesting and possibly realistic link to Clement Grenier, whose career has been derailed through injury but now seems to be back on track.
https://www.themag.co.uk/2018/06/newcastle-united-make-approach-clement-grenier-4-years-11m-offer-turned-report/
beddersmag
Jun 26, 2018 at 8:46 AM
Comment #133Not too gutted about merino. Never looked in great shape to me and didnt graft. Flashes of brilliance and silky touch caught the eye but cost us more goals than he helped create. Just lets folk run off him all the time like an amateur. 12m is good money. If can get sell on clause even better as clearly could become a top player with help of a top manager, like……errrrr…. Rafa!
Jib
Jun 26, 2018 at 8:53 AM
Comment #134Rob
not just INS but OUTS as well
Barton has been suggested as someone to send
our young loanees to
RobLeenio
Jun 26, 2018 at 8:57 AM
Comment #135Ah, yep fair point.
Mind, if they have another Jamie Vardy hanging out over there, I wouldn’t turn my nose up at him.
Jib
Jun 26, 2018 at 8:59 AM
Comment #136Christian Atsu training on his own at Benton
Well done young’un
http://ghanasoccernet.com/christian-atsu-starts-pre-season-training-with-newcastle-united-after-injury-recovery
RobLeenio
Jun 26, 2018 at 9:11 AM
Comment #137I was just thinking we’ve seen a large number of soundbite-type interviews with first team players over the last weeks since the end of the season.
I wonder if compiling a list of interviewed players would give us an idea of those that Rafa wants to keep, with the premise being that if the players haven’t been asked to do an interview, they could be out of the door.
Not the most scientific method, granted….
Jib
Jun 26, 2018 at 9:16 AM
Comment #138Something I was not aware of was Merino’s
being linked to Athletic Bilbao when he was a kid.
Nothing formal just an understanding twixt Athletic and Osasuna
Bilbao are now well ticked off that it looks like he’s going
join their Basque rivals Real Sociedad.
A bit like Sunlun’s feelings about Ginger Jack
https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/athletic-bilbao/20180626/45405141116/athletic-mikel-merino-osasuna-newcastle-borussia-dortmund-kuko-ziganda.html
Jib
Jun 26, 2018 at 9:18 AM
Comment #139Rob when I start posting pics from Benton next week
everyone will be furiously checking out who’s wearing
what bib.
😀
Jib
Jun 26, 2018 at 9:21 AM
Comment #140Merino was born in Nafarroako Foru Komunitatea
in Basque
I prefer the Spanish:-
Navarre