Newcastle United close to signing Mikel Merino

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Rafa Benitez is set to land his fifth signing of the transfer window for Newcastle
Spain Under-21 international Mikel Merino is set to join on a season-long loan
The Premier League club will have an obligation to buy the midfielder next year

Published: 13:25 EDT, 26 July 2017 | Updated: 16:53 EDT, 26 July 2017

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Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Borussia Dortmund's Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino.

The 21-year-old arrived on Tyneside on Wednesday to undergo a medical and complete the formalities of a season-long loan move, after which the Magpies have an obligation to buy.

Merino only joined Dortmund from Osasuna last summer but, after making just eight league appearances, he became unsettled and is said to be excited at the prospect of playing under compatriot Rafa Benitez.

Newcastle are closing in on the signing of 21-year-old Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund

The Spain Under-21 international was part of the squad that finished runners up to Germany in Poland earlier this summer, playing in the group stage victories over Portugal and Serbia.

Predominantly deployed as a central or holding midfielder by Dortmund and Spain Under 21s, he can also play at centre back.

Merino will become Benitez's fifth signing of the summer, although he remains keen to bring in at least four more, with a new striker a priority.

The Newcastle boss has been frustrated by a slow start to the transfer window, which saw the club fail to complete deals for forward Tammy Abraham and goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who ended up joining Swansea and Chelsea respectively.