Been mentioned a while ago. But Rafa said he would never quit this summer as he'd given new players his word that he's staying long term. That he wouldn't tie them to this club and then f*** off.
I feel getting Merino tied down is a similar story. Rafa must of given him assurances he's here for a while longer.
That was a comment he made about when he was at Liverpool and had the chance to go to Real Madrid, he didn't say it about NUFC. Not even sure he said it this summer either, it was part of a serialisation of Mark Douglas' book about Rafa I think.
I’m pretty sure he’s said this while he has been with us too. I’ll post it if I can be bothered to find it.