Liverpool have added Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino to their midfield shortlist.
That’s according to the website of Italian journalist Rudy Galetti – rudygaletti.com. According to Galetti, Merino joins the likes of Youri Tielemans and Piotr Zielinski on a list that is ‘full of names’ for Jurgen Klopp.
Jude Bellingham is reportedly sitting pretty right at the top of this shortlist. But it’s claimed that Real Madrid remain in ‘pole position’ to sign the 19-year-old.
Sofyan Amrabat and Moises Caicedo are said to be two more names to feature prominently in Liverpool’s thoughts. Below those two though, Merino has reportedly snuck into the frame.
Merino ready for round two in England
This is perhaps a bit of a left-field link for Liverpool, but Merino wouldn’t necessarily be a bad signing at all.
For those fans who simply watch the Premier League, they might be surprised by that. Merino was after all a flop during his time at Newcastle United.
Having arrived in the North East from Borussia Dortmund, big things had been expected of Merino. The Chronicle reporter Mick Quinn even compared his passing to that of Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso, terming him ‘tremendous’ in the process.
But for one reason or another, Merino only played just 25 times for Newcastle. He was then shipped off to Real Sociedad for around £10m after just one season.
Since then, the 26-year-old has really kicked his game up a notch. Becoming a key player for La Real, Merino has won the Copa Del Rey and bagged himself 11 caps for Spain whilst back in his homeland.
All of that means that he may be worth his reported £50m release clause.
The Alonso comparisons may have proven to be hyperbole, but Merino may still be a good fit for Liverpool. Desperately in need of a bit of steel added to their midfield, he fits the profile to do that.
Let’s wait and see if anything more concrete materialises.
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