Manchester United are eyeing a move to bring Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino back to the Premier League this summer.
Merino has established himself as one of La Liga’s most impressive midfielders since an underwhelming spell at Newcastle United earlier in his career, with the 27-year-old having earned 19 caps for Spain since his debut in 2020.
He was named in La Liga’s Team of the Season for 2022/23 after recording nine league assists to help Sociedad to a fourth-placed finish and Champions League qualification. Merino then shone as the San Sebastián outfit reached the last 16 of Europe’s elite this season.
Manchester United are preparing an overhaul of their midfield in the summer with Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay each linked with exits, while Sofyan Amrabat’s loan move from Fiorentina is unlikely to be made permanent after a disappointing spell in English football to date.
Merino would offer an experienced option to compliment the emerging Kobbie Mainoo and Spanish publication Cope claim he is on the radar of the Red Devils and their recruitment team.
Contract talks between Merino and Sociedad have reached a ‘stalemate’ with the midfielder awaiting the outcome of the current campaign, as the Spanish side sit sixth and challenge again for a place in Europe.
His current deal has a release clause of €60m (£51.2m), though Sociedad could be forced to cash in for a lower price given Merino’s deal expires in 2025.
Manchester City, Juventus and Atletico Madrid have also been named as admirers, with Sociedad facing a fight to retain their top talent with Takefusa Kubo, Martin Zubimendi and Robin Le Normand all attracting interest from leading European clubs.
