We were hoping as a last-gasp measure that Rafa meeting up with Mikel Merino this week in preseason training could persuade the youngster to stay one more year at Newcastle and see how things turned out.
But it wasn’t to be, and now the Chronicle are reporting that Marino is expected to leave “imminently” for Real Sociedad with the deal all agreed.
Sociedad triggered the release clause in Merino’s contract thought to be around the £10M mark.
Mikel Merino a year ago – so short a stay on Tyneside
When the deal goes through that should give Rafa £10M more to spend although it means replacing a 21-year-old with terrific potential.
We would have preferred Mikel to have stayed and see how things turn out for him.
It seems like a rash decision by the player who is still very young but obviously wants first-team football next term.
Merino is already back and is already back in Spain and will sign a five-year deal at Real Sociedad.
We could say that Ki Sung-yueng from Swansea City last week is Mikel’s replacement and Ki is an experienced player who came very cheaply – as a free agent.
It’s not expected that Merino will return to Newcastle and so only one season from a youngster who has now left us.
It’s a pity he couldn’t stay for another season of coaching under Rafa Benitez – he would have been a much better player next summer.
But these things happen.
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
martoon
Jul 5, 2018 at 8:37 AM
Comment #1You would think from a personal point of view he would still have to return to take personal stuff from his locker, house etc. – or do they have minions to do all that for them?
RUNAWAY777
Jul 5, 2018 at 8:53 AM
Comment #2Players that think there bigger then the club can do one
lochinvar
Jul 5, 2018 at 9:06 AM
Comment #3The deciding factor here is surely the supposed release clause of £10m ? Looks like Charnley was cornered into inserting that so that Merino was signed in the first place which probably means that it was always in the player or Agent’s plans to get a year or maybe two experience in the Premier League before returning to Spain as one of their bright young stars. If he has a career path trajectory mapped out to end up at Barcelona do not be surprised.
mactoon
Jul 5, 2018 at 9:39 AM
Comment #4I don’t think there’s any guarantee that Ashley will release the full transfer fee to Rafa?
toonincheek
Jul 5, 2018 at 9:49 AM
Comment #5I’m guessing that even if the release clause amount
is met, they will want to pay in installments, so Rafa
would not get the full amount immediately anyway
There is something like £50M difference between
transfer fees due to be received compared with those
to be paid.
Sav
Jul 5, 2018 at 9:53 AM
Comment #6Its the ridiculous size of the release clause that kills me. Barely more than we paid for him in the first place. Of course, we do have the benefit of Charnley being the lowest paid CEO in the division to offset against that. This club is run like a circus. We have one man who has a clue and he is being forced out. Fans must take a stand this season or we’ll be back in the dark ages with Ashley and Charnley at the helm.