Newcastle must seal summer swoop for 6ft 3 international smashing it at second-placed club
COMMENT
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez may have to go out and find a new defensive midfielder in the summer after it was reported that Mikel Merino wants to quit St James' Park.
Even though the Spanish midfielder only signed a permanent deal earlier this season when he joined from Borussia Dortmund, it seems that Benitez may have to give in and cash in on the wantaway player.
That means that a replacement will be needed and there does not seem like a better fit right now than Marko Grujic, who has been smashing it with Cardiff since joining them on loan from Liverpool in January.
Grujic has not lost a single Championship game since moving to South Wales in January, making 12 appearances in all competitions.
The 6ft 3in deep-lying playmaker is very similar to Merino and might be available in the summer with him nowhere near the first-team at Anfield.
Cardiff will probably want to sign the 21-year-old for themselves once their promotion to the Premier League is confirmed as they currently sit second in the Championship, five points ahead of third-placed Fulham.
However that should not stop the Magpies from going out and signing up the Serbia international, who could be a really good addition in the summer.
In other Newcastle United news, West Ham are eyeing a summer swoop for this £60,000-a-week Magpies player.