Bilbao wants Mikel Merino

Borussia Dortmund has an overblown roster that Michael Zorc needs to trim a little bit and it looks like Mikel Merino will be the next player to leave BVB after Matthias Ginter, Dzenis Burnic and Sven Bender.

According to Spanish outlet AS Athletic Bilbao are eager to bring in the 21-year-old midfielder this summer. However as opposed to a possible loan-move, the Basque-club want to buy Merino outright and are reportedly prepared to offer 10€ million for him. The negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage and the move could be finalized this week.

Merino is a talented young midfielder that needs playing time, something Dortmund can’t offer him right now. Last season he only played in 9 games for Dortmund. Zorc would probably rather let Merino go on loan to keep the option to get him back but if Bilbao are truly ready to offer 10€ million for him, that might be hard to turn down for a player they bought for 3.75€ million. There is also the possibility of securing a buy-back clause that would give Dortmund the chance to get him back.

We will have to wait and see what Dortmund are going to do with Merino but it looks increasingly likely that he won’t be wearing black and yellow next season.