Mikel Merino wins completely and becomes a key player for Barca
FC Barcelona will pursue Mikel Merino in the coming weeks if he achieves “fair play” in the operation. The Real Sociedad midfielder is very popular at Barca and is believed to have a profile that perfectly suits the type of football that Hansi Flick wants to play in midfield.
At 27 years old, the Navarrese is considered a full-fledged Can Barça midfielder. capable of performing almost all functions: he can touch, referee in attack, come from the second line, and in defense he “itches” and puts on a jumpsuit. In addition, he even makes an extra contribution on set pieces thanks to his ability to win duels.
Merino, whose contract with Real Sociedad expires on June 30, 2025, will be cheaper than Joshua Kimmich, another name rumored to strengthen Barca’s midfield. The German would also adapt to the double pivot that Flick uses, but in the organization led by Joan Laporta, they value Mikel Merino’s profile as much as the German coach’s desire to put his team on the opposition pitch and press high.
As already explained, replacing Xavi with Flick on the bench also implies a change in planning. Egarense were inclined to return to a positional center such as Guido Rodriguez. Barça had been planning the arrival of the Argentine, but in recent days this process has been frozen as they try in the sports zone to find the player who they think will best adapt to Flick’s pattern. And this, as Barça believes, is Mikel Merino.
Today it is nothing new that the Catalan club cannot take any action. However, Barca are hopeful they can return to the one-on-one rule in the coming weeks. It is then that, having created room for wages through departures, the club will contact Real Sociedad to indicate their interest in the Navarrese midfielder.
The churi urdin organization would have limited power in the hypothetical negotiations as Merino’s contract expires in a year, which gives Barca optimism. Likewise, the option of Guido Rodriguez remains open unless a more favorable fair play scenario for the club occurs over time.