Rafa Benitez is reportedly closing in on fifth signing of the summer for the Magpies. His loan target is Spain U-21’s starlet Mikel Merino.
Borussia Dortmund are willing to let go of the midfielder and reports from Daily Mail suggest that the Spanish U-21 star has arrived to undergo a medical and fulfill other formalities to complete a season-long loan move.
Merino is a holding midfielder, but can play as a centre-back as well. He made only 6 appearances for the German team and failed to make any impression.
Despite his poor run of form in a disappointing season, he managed to be a part of Spain’s U-21 international squad that finished runner-up in the summer tournament in Poland.
Mikel arrived at Dortmund from Osasuna and had a very disappointing season in Germany with almost no appearances. Dortmund are hoping the loan move will help the player develop, and Newcastle will hope Mikel can serve a role in the team’s rotation.
