Mikel Merino is now a concrete option for Barcelona, with the club in need of midfield reinforcements ahead of the new season. La Masia graduates Gavi and Fermin Lopez have shouldered a lot of responsibility this past season, bht having an experienced name in the middle of the park will help add some much needed composure to the line-up.
The Spaniard is also on Juventus’ radar, but the Bianconeri are going all-in for Teun Koopmeiners of Atalanta. However, Barca have the 27-year-old in their sights for the coming transfer window.
Mikel Merino on Barcelona’s transfer list for summer 2024
🔵🔴 Mikel Merino, concrete option now on Barça list for the new midfielder as @tjuanmarti reported.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 5, 2024
Deco appreciates him, Merino will be one of the names considered.
↪️ Understand he’s also appreciated by Juventus but their priority target is clear: Teun Koopmeiners. 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/THjp7WF0Jw
The midfielder has only one year left on his contract with Real Sociedad, and is yet to negotiate a renewal with the side. He has a €65 million release clause in his deal, which might prove to be too much for Barcelona to pay right now.
As a result, they might try to negotiate a separate deal structure to be able to sign Mikel Merino this summer. However, the move is still in its initial stages, with significant time available for the situation to develop further.
Sociedad are keen to not lose their prized asset for free next summer, and are keen to tie him down to a new deal. As a result, they will surely push to get him to sign a new deal in order to fend off interest from Barcelona.