La Liga side Real Sociedad will step up their interest in Mikel Merino by triggering the player’s €12 million release clause.
The Northern Echo reports that Sociedad, Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao are all keen to sign the player this summer, but Asier Garitano’s men want to steal the march on their rivals.
Both Sevilla and Bilbao had held talks over a deal, but there was little sign of any progress.
Newcastle remain hopeful of keeping the player, but the report does also suggest that there is an acceptance that any offer to keep him at the club will be rejected.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder is said to be keen on leaving the Premier League after just one season with the Magpies.
Merino looked a step above his Newcastle team-mates during the early stages of the season but fell out of favour towards the tail end of the campaign.
