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.
A Spain Under-21 international, he 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.