Newcastle United have added further to their squad, after announcing the signing, on a season long loan, Spanish Under 21 international midfielder Mikel Merino, from Borussia Dortmund.
Merino becomes the fifth addition to the Newcastle squad, after the signings of Christian Atsu, Jacob Murphy, Florian Lejeune and Javier Manquillo.
It wasn’t a straight forward decision to join Newcastle, but Merino feels he has made the right decision, as he explained to the club website after being presented to the press “I know it’s a great club and a really nice city,” he said. “I had different options but I think this is the right place for me to play. It feels good and I’m very happy to be here, to be part of this club. I’m looking forward to touching the ball, meeting my new team-mates and starting to play football.”
It will be a baptism of fire for Merino, who only featured in 9 games for Dortmund last season. But Magpies boss Rafa Benitez feels the player’s potential and class will help him become a success in the Premier League : “Mikel is a midfielder with talent, an under-21 international for Spain. He’s a good size, has quality on the ball and he’s very, very focused and professional”
Geordie fans will certainly hope that Benitez’s faith and vision in the player will come to fruition in helping Newcastle survive at the top table of English football. British bookmakers though remain sceptical, offering just 7/2 on an immediate return to the Championship, with only five other clubs more preferred than the St James Park outfit.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – ODDS TO BE RELEGATED 2017/18 SEASON
- Huddersfield Town 4/6
- Burnley 6/5
- Brighton 5/4
- Watford 15/8
- Swansea City 9/4
- Newcastle United 7/2
- Crystal Palace 9/2
- Stoke City 11/2
- West Bromwich Albion 11/2
- AFC Bournemouth 13/2
- All other clubs 10/1 or bigger
