Mikel Merino (now playing for Arsenal)

[NG32]

Oh well, I liked the lad.  Never mind.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

Strange one, oh well.

[Guest chopey]

Looks like Rafa could be bringing in £45 million + for his kitty

[Newcastle Fan]

This is quite annoying and quite unlike us, why put such  low relase clause on a good potential like him, wanted him to stay here and be a key part of our team

[Chicane]

Pretty disappointing, seemed like he had a lot of potential ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Guest Howaythetoon]

There has to be something behind the scenes, perhaps Rafa just thought after trying him out and seeing him in training he’s not someone who will make his team on a permanent basis. Such a shitty low fee though. Mind if the market wasn’t as crazy as it is, it would be considered fair fee.

[LoveItIfWeBeatU]

One of the conditions of him signing was the inclusion of the low release clause. He did the same at Dortmund. If it's so he can leave to get more game time fair enough, can't blame him.

[Guest reefatoon]

Just basically looks like he wants to leave. Meh, see ya.

[Scotty66]

His first few games were amazing. Really thought we had found ourselves a top player.

 

If I was told he would be sold for £10 million given the current market prices I would have had a heart attack due to laughing so much.

 

There is a real quality player in there but towards his last few games for us he didn't look as good.

 

 

[Interpolic]

Came here on loan, looked mint, signed permanently, barely featured.

 

Add it to the list of bizarre NUFC signings.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

One of the conditions of him signing was the inclusion of the low release clause. He did the same at Dortmund. If it's so he can leave to get more game time fair enough, can't blame him.

 

Or fight for your place and prove your worth?

[Guest Howaythetoon]

Again very disppaointed, because he is arguably our best player when on form and with huge potential. Ironically we would probably get a hell of a lot more for Shelvey who I feel is limited in comparison despite his good form towards the end of the season.

[Mr Logic]

Be interesting to see where he is/what he is doing 2 or 3 years from now...

[Interpolic]

One of the conditions of him signing was the inclusion of the low release clause. He did the same at Dortmund. If it's so he can leave to get more game time fair enough, can't blame him.

 

Or fight for your place and prove your worth?

 

He's sat on the bench for much of the last 2 seasons, I don't blame him either.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

One of the conditions of him signing was the inclusion of the low release clause. He did the same at Dortmund. If it's so he can leave to get more game time fair enough, can't blame him.

 

Or fight for your place and prove your worth?

 

He's sat on the bench for much of the last 2 seasons, I don't blame him either.

 

Which makes me return to the idea that Rafa probably doesn’t rate him as highly as he thought having now worked with him.

[Minhosa]

Gutted about this - really liked the lad and was excited by his potential.

[Guest neesy111]

Ki is a decent player but he is a downgrade imho. And he's 29, not much scope for improvement. I hoped we at least replace him with anotehr promising signing

 

[Infinitely Content]

Ki is a decent player but he is a downgrade imho. And he's 29, not much scope for improvement. I hoped we at least replace him with anotehr promising signing

 

I think immediately-speaking he's an upgrade due to his fitness, premier league experience and obvious quality as a footballer. In the long term Merino would probably have progressed into a first team starter as he obviously looked really talented, but as it stands it's still up for speculation whether he would have re-discovered his early form next season, he looked poor at times last season admittedly, and I really like him.

[George Bailey]

Showed promise but he's going to have to stay and fight for a place at a club at some point. Players will lose their first team place at some point in the most case.

Clearly doesn't want to do that with us so bye then.

[LRD]

Definitely has something to work with, but is not inclined to work himself back into the team like Diame did. All things considered, the only factor that makes it a poorish outgoing is the low transfer fee.

[Tsunami]

Doesn’t seem to have the heart or desire to prove he’s worth a place with us and has been rumoured to have been unsettled for a while. He looks a player; sadly not for us.

[TRon]

Gonna be a very good player, just not prepared to stick it out here so that's that. At least Ki is battle hardened to the PL so that means he'll be good to go this season.

[LoveItIfWeBeatU]

We'll regret this big time. Not had a genuine CM talent like him for ages.

 

How can NUFC regret it? Merino insisted on the low release clause as a condition of signing. If he'd been a great success another club would have heard about the low release clause (from Merino's agent) and he'd have been away anyway.

 

Merino got a back injury (he described it as the worst injury of his career) and he was then out the side. I'm sure NUFC would have liked to keep him but he wants to be starting games. That isn't necessarily compatible with a newly promoted Premiership club fighting to stay up. He was new to the Premiership and his centre midfield rivals were bang in form. Rafa was the person not picking him. Merino didn't play much for NUFC or Dortmund. He wants to go somewhere he'll be an automatic starter.

[xLiaaamx]

Lacking something in my mind. Not going to get myself upset at players who've done nowt in their careers thinking their above fighting for their place here. Shelvey and Diame ahead of him on merit. Was up to him to dislodge that.

[Village Idiot]

He won't start for Real Sociedad either. They lack depth though, so he'll get chances for sure.