Newcastle swiftly activated their option to permanently sign Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino on Friday just 7 games into his season-long loan from Borussia Dortmund.
In just 7 games, the 21-year-old has already shown enough quality to convince the club, and the £7million deal represents a smart move.
Merino is set to play a crucial part in Newcastle’s survival plans this term, and his ambition to make it to the senior national team set up is a factor that would inspire him into producing his best.
While the Spain youth international is realistically still some years away from achieving that dream, he will, nevertheless, hope to catch the attention of the team’s scouts with the next World Cup less than a year away.
That he has already established himself in manager Rafa Benitez first team plans is without a doubt a perfect step in the right direction.
Merino revealed of his lofty ambitions at international level after penning the permanent deal: “It is my dream. It will be hard and I will never think it will be easy.
“You only have to see the squad and the players we have. We have some of the best in the world.
“It is probably not ready to happen right now, but I hope to be near in the future. And yes I can achieve that here – why not?”
