El Clasico rivals vying for Newcastle starlet

Catalan daily newspaper Sport has suggested that Real Madrid and Barcelona are keeping close tabs on Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino.

The two clubs missed out on the 21-year-old a year ago as he opted to leave Osasuna for Borussia Dortmund, but he in turn failed to make an impact at Signal-Iduna Park.

Merino has done much better during the loan spell with Newcastle United, persuading the Premier League club to exercise a buy-out clause some ten days ago.

And it seems that Merino’s impressive performances in England did not go unnoticed as Sport claims that Real Madrid and Barcelona are ready to rekindle their interest.

Following the narrow win over Crystal Palace, where the Spaniard scored the winning goal, the Magpies are 33/20 to defeat Burnley on the road next time out.