da casino： Newcastle United hope to secure the permanent move of Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund in January rather than wait until the end of the season, according to the Chronicle.
What’s the word?
da poker： The Spaniard moved to St James’ Park in the summer on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal.
It is believed that if Merino plays 20 competitive matches for the Magpies, then he will be eligible to finalise a £6.5m move at the end of the campaign.
According to the Chronicle, manager Rafael Benitez has been so impressed with the 21-year-old that he wants to get the deal done when the transfer window reopens in January, irrespective of the clause.
So far, Merino has made six appearances in the Premier League and has become somewhat of a fan favourite for his performances in front of the defence.
Is this the right move by Newcastle?
Given that the club’s transfer strategy did not quite go to plan, it is imperative that the Magpies hold on to the talent that they did manage to sign.
Attempting to change their arrangement with Dortmund in January is the right decision for the club as it will make them feel much more secure.
If Merino continues to impress, then he may attract attention from other clubs, leaving him open to a move elsewhere before reaching the appearance total in the clause.
In addition, depending on how well Newcastle are performing, the midfielder’s initial openness to staying may change.
Therefore, it is best for the Magpies to tie up a deal while the Spaniard is happy at St James’ Park.