Atletico Madrid will reportedly compete with Barcelona for 27-year-old Spanish international Mikel Merino, who has a release clause worth €60 million in his contract with Real Sociedad.
According to a report by Spanish outlet MARCA, Mikel Merino is the subject of interest from Atletico Madrid. The Colchoneros are scouring the market for a midfielder heading into the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the Spanish international is also a target for Barcelona, with his contract with Real Sociedad having a release clause worth €60 million.
Mikel Merino and his upward trajectory
Mikel Merino has established himself as a pivotal figure for Real Sociedad since arriving from Newcastle United in July 2018. The 27-year-old could not impose himself at St. James’ Park and had a lacklustre spell with Borussia Dortmund. However, he has gone from strength to strength in the last half a dozen years.
Merino has turned out nearly 250 times thus far for Real Sociedad, chipping in with 27 goals and 30 assists. Meanwhile, the Spaniard has become a regular for his national side since making his debut for Spain in September 2020. The player’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs.
A summer move across La Liga might be on the cards for the Spanish international, with Barcelona holding a long-standing interest in him. However, the Blaugrana will face stiff competition from top-four rivals Atletico Madrid for the Real Sociedad midfielder.
Move across La Liga on the horizon?
Barcelona’s interest in Mikel Merino is understandable. The Catalan giants are scouring the market for a versatile midfielder who can reprise a defensive-minded role and provide the forward thrust from the middle of the park. The Real Sociedad midfielder has thus emerged as the priority target for Barcelona, although his release clause of €60 million poses a problem.
Coughing up €60 million might also be an issue for Atletico Madrid, although they will also look to secure Mikel Merino’s services in the summer transfer window. The Colchoneros are scouring the market for a midfielder, with recent reports linking them with Conor Gallagher and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Atletico Madrid’s emergence in the race to sign the 27-year-old Spanish international complicates the matter for Barcelona. It will be interesting to see where Merino plies his trade in the 2024/25 season.
