MIKEL MERINO is determined to ‘live up to his potential’ after completing his move from Borussia Dortmund to Newcastle United.

Merino was confirmed as Newcastle’s fifth summer signing yesterday, and the Spanish midfielder has gone straight into the squad for this afternoon’s pre-season friendly with German side Mainz.

The 21-year-old has signed on an initial season-long loan deal, with the Magpies understood to have paid a loan fee of around £2.5m. Their agreement with Dortmund also includes a clause that commits them to a £6m permanent transfer next summer, provided Merino makes an agreed number of appearances this term.

Merino played just 292 minutes of senior football for Dortmund last season, but impressed while representing Spain at this summer’s European Under-21 Championships.

His preferred position is central midfield, and with his career having stagnated over the last 12 months, he is determined to make his mark on Tyneside.

“I am a midfielder with a lot of potential,” said Merino, who started his career with Spanish side Osasuna. “I like to help my team-mates with and without the ball, talk with them and play with the ball, and I think I’m strong enough.

“I will put all my things on the pitch, so let’s see. I always want to attack, have the ball and score goals. I want to help the team go forward, and this is my main mentality, but of course defence is an important part of the game and I have to be on one side and the other.

“I had different offers and different options to play, but I think that it’s a great club. It’s the right place to play for me.”

Rafael Benitez is delighted to have Merino on board, with the Spaniard set to battle with Isaac Hayden and Jack Colback for the right to partner Jonjo Shelvey at the heart of the Newcastle midfield.

“Mikel is a midfielder with talent, and Under-21 international for Spain,” said the Magpies boss. “He’s a good size, has quality on the ball, and he’s very, very focused and professional.

“Hopefully, he’s the kind of player we can improve a lot – he certainly has the mentality to get better and better.

“He comes from a top side in Dortmund, and although he did not play too much last season, he was signed as a young, talented player, and to be signed by a club like that shows that he has something good. He has to show what he has, and hopefully he can enjoy playing here for a long time.”

A couple of Newcastle’s fringe players appear to be heading towards the door, with increased interest in both Emmanuel Riviere and Massadio Haidara in the last 24 hours.

Turkish side Osmanlispor made an inquiry about Riviere earlier this week, with Newcastle desperate to offload the French forward, who has proved a major flop since moving from Monaco in 2014.

However, the Super Lig side could face opposition for Riviere’s signature from French club Metz, who have also flagged up their interest in the 27-year-old, who has entered the final year of his current Magpies deal.

Haidara was deemed surplus to requirements at the start of the summer, and St Etienne have become the first club to lodge a formal inquiry about the full-back.

Haidara, who is also in the final year of his current contract, made just one substitute appearance in the whole of last season’s Championship campaign, and St Etienne are hoping to engineer a cut-price deal.