Newcastle United fans will be excused for thinking what could have been when they watch Mikel Merino line up for Spain in tonight’s EURO 2024 final against England at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Merino, of course, spent the 2017/18 season on Tyneside, initially joining on loan from Borussia Dortmund before the move was made permanent, and quickly became a fan favourite at St James’ Park under Rafa Benitez.
He left the club after one season, though, citing homesickness and returned to his native Spain to join Real Sociedad and he has since gone from strength to strength.
In his six seasons with La Real, he has become on the club’s key players and helped his side win the Copa Del Rey in 2020, while also establishing himself as a regular in the Spanish national squad.
His goal in the quarter-finals of EURO 2024 sealed a dramatic extra time win over the host nation Germany and it seems as if those performances have caught the attention of Arsenal.
Merino, who is out of contract next summer, has been targeted by the Premier League giants and a report from Mundo Deportivo claims they are ready to offer the 28-year-old the ‘contract of a lifetime’ to join them this summer.
Aston Villa have also been credited with an interest, although their move for Amadou Onana could put the brakes on competing for Merino’s signature.
