Did talk of a move to Athletic Bilbao unsettle Newcastle's Mikel Merino?

Mikel Merino is coveted by Athletic Bilbao '“ but he's happy at Newcastle United.
Mikel Merino (Pic: by Frank Reid)Mikel Merino (Pic: by Frank Reid)
Mikel Merino (Pic: by Frank Reid)

The midfielder was strongly linked with a move to the La Liga club last month.

Bilbao leaked their interest in Merino, signed from Borussia Dortmund on a permanent deal early this season.

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However, Newcastle didn’t receive a firm bid for the 21-year-old, who is slowly recovering from the back injury which sidelined him late last year.

And Magpie manager Rafa Benitez – who fielded calls from Spanish journalists asking about Merino’s future – dismissed talk of a move ahead of transfer deadline day.

Bilbao only sign players from the Basque Country, and Pamplona-born Merino is eligible to play for United’s one-time UEFA Cup opponents.

Benitez does not believe the reports of a move to the San Mames Stadium unsettled Merino, who impressed in the early part of the season before suffering a back problem in October.

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Asked if Merino was happy at St James’s Park, Benitez said: “Yes, that was clear at the beginning.”

Merino – who only played a handful of games during his year at Dortmund – came off the bench in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Spain Under-21 international has been in and out of the starting XI since returning from injury in November.

Asked about his form, Benitez said: “It’s just a case of getting back to his perfect match fitness. That’s it.

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“It’s taken some time. Now he must recover the match fitness by training and playing games.”

For his part, Merino hopes to be fully fit soon.

Speaking last month, he said: “I had a lot of problems during the season with small injuries.

“The back injury, which I still have a little bit, is improving.

“I feel much better. I’m almost at 100% physically. I’m feeling good in training.

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“I feel I’m at a good level. I’m happy to see myself play with my team-mates and my level in training.

“Yes, I hope in a few weeks I don’t have any problems and will be 100%.”

Merino says the back problem was the “worst” of his career.

“I’ve had a lot of injuries during my career,” said Merino.

“The back, I think, is the worst one, because it affects a lot.

“You cannot turn. You cannot sprint. You cannot jump. These are the things you cannot do.

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“Sometimes it’s hard to play with these kind of injuries, because you feel like you can do 100%, but you’re doing 50%, and nobody knows it.

“It’s hard, but you have to carry on.

“A lot of players play with injuries and it’s part of the sport. I deal with it.”

Merino and his team-mates, given a couple of days off by Benitez after the Palace game, will now start preparations for Sunday’s home game against Manchester United.