Real Madrid are reportedly looking at Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino as a potential option to bolster their midfield department in the summer.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid are keen on bringing in a new midfielder to provide cover for Casemiro and have narrowed in on Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad as a possible target.
Merino has been with La Real since 2018 when he signed from Newcastle United and has grown into one of the most reliable performers in the middle of the park in La Liga. The 25-year-0ld has made 142 appearances for Imanol Alguacil’s side while also featuring 11 times for the Spanish national team, enjoying tremendous growth over the past couple of seasons.
Merino’s form has seen him attract intention from the heavy-hitters of Spanish football. Barcelona are reportedly considering a summer move for the former Osasuna ace, with manager Xavi Hernandez believed to be a huge admirer of his abilities. As per the aforementioned report, Real Madrid have also entered the fray to sign the Spaniard.
Real Madrid will need to start preparing for a future without their ageing midfield trifecta of Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos. In Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, the Merengues already have two exciting talents among their ranks who can take over the mantle in the future.
But, at the moment, Real Madrid do not have any natural holding midfielder to provide cover for Casemiro and eventually replace him in the first-team setup. It is something that Florentino Perez and the club hierarchy wish to address in the summer transfer window and have identified several transfer targets already.
Los Blancos are looking at Ruben Neves of Wolves while they are also keeping an eye out on Red Bull Salzburg’s Mohamed Camara. There is interest in AS Monaco mainstay Aurelien Tchouameni, and now Real Madrid are also considering Mikel Merino as a prospective option to strengthen their options in midfield.
The 25-year-old has been on the radars of Real Madrid in the past. The report claims that the Spanish capital club tried to sign him before his move to Borussia Dortmund from Osasuna. Now a much more accomplished footballer with experience at the highest level, Merino is back on the agenda at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Spanish international is a player who can operate as a No. 6 or take up a more progressive role in the middle of the park to contribute with goals and assists – he has been directly involved in six goals in 21 La Liga matches this term. The tactical flexibility he would bring to the table could appeal to Real Madrid, and it remains to be seen if they end up making a push to land him.
