Juventus 'eyeing double La Liga raid for Mikel Merino, Reinildo'
The Bianconeri have been expected to prioritise a midfield rebuild in the upcoming window, having lost both Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli to long-term suspensions this season.
Fagioli's seven-month ban for gambling on illegal platforms is nearing its end, and the Italian will be eligible to return at the start of next term, but Pogba was recently hit with the maximum four-year penalty for doping.
The French World Cup winner will therefore not be eligible to play again until 2027, a year after his Juventus contract expires, but he has confirmed that he will appeal his punishment to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Should Pogba fail to get his suspension overturned or reduced, however, his four-year ban would almost certainly spell the end of his career with Juventus, who are expected to terminate his contract if the CAS upholds his punishment.
Juve were tipped to sign Arsenal's Thomas Partey and Tottenham Hotspur's Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to replace Pogba in January, and the Old Lady could go back in for both players — whose deals expire in 2025 — this summer.
However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport — via Fichajes — Juventus are now broadening their search and have also been keeping tabs on Sociedad's much-coveted number eight Merino.
The 27-year-old had spells at Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United before moving to Sociedad in 2018, since when he has contributed to 55 goals in 232 matches, 25 of his own and 30 assists.
Merino has netted six goals and set up five more in 35 games across all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign and has now won 19 caps for the Spain national
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