Newcastle United's Mikel Merino is set to return to his native Spain after closing on a €12 million (£10.6m) move to Real Sociedad.
Merino, 22, moved to St James' Park from Borussia Dortmund in 2017, and made 24 Premier League appearances in his debut season as the Magpies cemented their place in the English top flight.
The midfielder's talents have not gone unnoticed, and he is now set to line up for his fourth team in as many seasons with a switch back to La Liga.
Goal understands that Merino has agreed a five-year contract with the Basque side, and that negotiations have now opened with his club.