Barcelona are on the lookout for reinforcements in the midfield department heading into the summer transfer window.
Joshua Kimmich has been touted as the priority target for Barça, but the Catalans are also looking at several other options.
One of those alternatives, Guido Rodriguez, appears to be off the list, with the technical staff looking at a different profile as the system will likely change to a 4-2-3-1 under Hansi Flick.
As such, reports earlier today suggested Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino could be an option for Barcelona this summer.
Merino a concrete option
Providing an update, Fabrizio Romano now reports that Mikel Merino is indeed a concrete target for Barcelona.
Indeed, the 27-year-old former Newcastle United midfielder is now very much on the list of midfield targets for Hansi Flick and Barça heading into the summer.
Merino has been a big success at Real Sociedad and has become a regular for the Spanish national team as well.
The Spaniard is well-suited to playing in a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 setup owing to his all-round abilities.
The fact that his contract with Sociedad expires in the summer of 2025 means that he could be available for a reasonable price as well.
Juventus also interested
However, as per the update from Romano, Barcelona are not the only club interested in Merino at this moment as Juventus also admire the Spanish international a great deal.
However, what bodes well for Barça is that the Bianconeri are prioritising a move for Teun Koopmeiners at this moment. It should leave the field clear for the Catalan heavyweights to go after the Spaniard.
