Mikel Merino set for Newcastle as Rafa Benitez closes in on season-long loan deal for Borussia Dortmund midfielder

NEWCASTLE are in talks to sign Mikel Merino from Borussia Dortmund.

The Spaniard, 21, has left the German club's training camp in Switzerland to speak to the Toon.

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Merino is a holding midfielder who can also play at centre-half and would cost around £6million.

He only joined Dortmund from Osasuna last summer but made just two Bundesliga starts and has now been allowed to leave.

Merino would become Rafa Benitez's fifth summer signing, with the Toon boss also still wanting a keeper and striker.

The Spain Under-21 international's arrival could lead to Jack Colback leaving St James' Park.

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Benitez wrapped up two deals last week that took his summer spending past the £30m mark.

England Under-21 winger Jacob Murphy sealed a £12.5m switch from Norwich before Javier Manquillo arrived for £4.5m from Atletico Madrid.

That was after French defender Florian Lejeune joined from Eibar and Christian Atsu had made a permanent switch from Chelsea.