Mikel Merino has reportedly not told Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez he wants a move to Athletic Bilbao this Summer.
The Sunderland Echo report that claims the Spaniard had told Benitez he wanted a switch to Basque Country are false, and that Merino does not want to leave St James Park this Summer.
Merino has been frustrated by a lack of game time since moving to Newcastle from Borussia Dortmund last Summer. The Spanish U21 international has found his opportunities limited by the form of Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame, who have recently put in some great performances. Merino failed to make the bench against Huddersfield last weekend.
Benitez spoke about Merino last month, saying the Spaniard needed to train harder due to Shelvey and Diame playing better.
He said:
When Mikel was playing well, Jonjo needed to work harder.
Now Jonjo’s doing well, so Mikel has to work harder. That’s the good thing about competition.
