Mikel Merino has finally completed his transfer To Real Sociedad which is only 50 miles from where he grew up in Spain in his hometown of Pamplona.
Sociedad triggered the release clause in his contract of £10M and there was little Newcastle could do about it since he said he wanted to leave the club after only one year on Tyneside.
He had the same kind of release clause in his contract at Borussia Dortmund before Newcastle triggered that last summer to bring him to Newcastle for about £6M.
Mikel Merino – after scoring his only goal for Newcastle – against Crystal Palace
Rafa Benitez has explained Mikel and his agents insisted on that clause at the two big clubs (Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle) in case he didn’t get enough playing time and he could leave.
We doubt he has that clause in his contract at Sociedad where he’s likely to be their star player.
This is what the 21-year-old gifted player said after being unveiled as a Real Sociedad player:
“I am very happy and very happy to play in a club that I love and one that I have followed since I was a child.”
“It’s very close to Osasuna.” “I am delighted to be here and looking forward to playing the ball.”
“It’s a very nice project, with the change of the stadium and everything is good with the group.”
“The fans here have spoken so well to me and being back to being close to home is important.”
“I am feeling integrated.” “All of them have been important factors and I think I have made a good decision.”
“I want to grow and help the team grow.” “We can improve and aspire to higher levels.”
“I hope it’s a beautiful season.”
Real Sociedad finished only 12th in La Liga last season with 49 points from their 38 games.
Sociedad will be looking to do a lot better next season with Merino running their midfield.
So this is the first transfer we have done that gets Newcastle some money into the club.
And there’s more to come with the likes of Mitrovic, Mbemba, Colback, Aarons, Armstrong, and others expected to leave Newcastle for fees this summer.
We are sorry to see Mikel leave Newcastle but we wish him the very best in what should be an excellent career for him.
The 21-year-old certainly has the potential to become a top player.
Comments welcome.
163 comments so far
c-dog
Jul 13, 2018 at 9:06 AM
Comment #161It’s an insightful article and one which inspires debate for sure. Sometimes it’s better to read external media sources as ours is bordering on poor.
Munster Mag
Jul 13, 2018 at 9:40 AM
Comment #162Jib, I agree with the article. Stop picking out Irish media names to make yourself sound clever. Drury was going to wet himself before kick off. Talking to Irish mates in London, the slagging they got for not supporting England now rallies with my experience years ago. Reading another Irish journalist, he analysed englands work up until columbia and got loads of online abuse including being called a mongoloid because he wasnt effusive in his praise of the team and said they were not as Brill as people wanted to believe. Then you read of all the fights in pubs and the violence when they lost and the hooligan element years ago and yes, it’s no wonder we put some distance between us and the England circus.
BANDWBURNABY
Jul 13, 2018 at 2:42 PM
Comment #163Where has all the t.v. money gone? It seems to be forgotten at N.U.F.C. but all other teams seem to be spending theirs