'World class' £51m midfielder stalling on new contract as Manchester United eye summer move

Manchester United are closely monitoring the situation of Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino as he stalls on a new contract.

United will surely add at least one new midfielder this summer.

Casemiro has taken a big step back this season and Sofyan Amrabat’s loan spell from Fiorentina surely won’t be made permanent.

Kobbie Mainoo’s rise has been great to watch but United clearly need more quality in the middle with an interesting rumour emerging in Spain…

Manchester United want Mikel Merino

COPE report that United are one of a host of clubs closely following the performances of Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino.

Manchester City, Juventus and Atletico Madrid are also named as being key suitors for Merino.

The report adds that Merino’s future is now uncertain because he is stalling on a new contract with Real Sociedad.

Merino wants to wait until knowing whether Sociedad will play in Europe next season before committing to a new deal.

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That means the talks have hit a ‘stalemate’ and Sociedad may cash in with Merino out of contract in 2025.

The 27-year-old does have a €60million (£51million) release clause in his contract but he could move for much cheaper this summer.

Merino hails from Pamplona and emerged with hometown club Osasuna, racking up eight goals in 67 appearances.

Borussia Dortmund spotted Merino’s potential and lured him to Germany at the age of just 20, but managed just nine appearances.

Rafael Benitez lured Merino to Newcastle United in 2017, turning a loan move permanent before his time on Tyneside fizzled out.

By 2018, Merino was back in Spain with Real Sociedad, where he has really settled down and found his best form once again.

Merino has now bagged 25 goals and 30 assists in 233 games for Sociedad whilst picking up 19 caps for Spain.