NEWCASTLE UNITED fans think one Premier League referee is doing his best to help the club’s recruitment.
Eagle-eyed Toon supporters spotted Michael Oliver seemingly ask Mikel Merino to rejoin the Black and White Army.
GettyFans think Michael Oliver has been trying to tap up a Real Sociedad star to join Newcastle United[/caption]
AFPOliver seemed to joke with Mikel Merino about a return to St James’ Park[/caption]
TNT SportsFans spotted the interaction on TV[/caption]
Oliver was the man in the middle for the second leg of Real Sociedad’s Champions League last 16 tie with PSG on Tuesday night.
And after the full time whistle blew on PSG’s 4-1 aggregate win, Oliver appeared to jokingly ask Sociedad star Merino to make a return to the Magpies.
Fans online thought that Oliver, who is known to be a Newcastle fan himself, appeared to joke “are you coming back?” while shaking hands with Merino.
The 27-year-old central midfielder previously had a brief spell at St James’ Park during the 2017/18 season after joining on loan from German giants Borussia Dortmund.
But despite Newcastle being impressed enough to make the deal permanent just three months into the loan, Merino was sold to Sociedad in the following summer where he has remained since.
Merino made just 25 appearances for the Premier League club scoring one goal in the process.
And fans are convinced that he would be keen to make a return to Tyneside as they claimed that Merino “didn’t say no” to Oliver’s question.
Others pleaded on social media for the 27-year-old to return to Newcastle in the near future.
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One wrote: “What a signing this lad would be… again!”
While another added: “Would love to see him in black and white once more”.
A third posted: “‘I’d have him back in a second”.
And a fourth wrote: “Please come back Merino! Our midfield would be stacked”.
ReutersMerino previously spent one season at Newcastle United[/caption]