Middlesbrough decide against Merida move

The former Arsenal midfielder had been training with the north east club but manager Aitor Karanka has chosen not to offer the 24-year-old a permanent contract

Middlesbrough have decided against offering a contract to former Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida.

Goal understands that after spending last week training with Aitor Karanka's squad, Merida will not be offered the chance to continue his career with Boro.

Merida was known to Karanka following their time together in the Spanish youth system, and the former Real Madrid assistant has already signed the likes of Tomas Mejias, Emilio Nsue and Kike after coaching them at national level.

But Merida will not become the latest Iberian to link-up with Boro.

A source confirmed to Goal: "Fran did well, but Karanka feels that he was not quite what he was looking for at this time."

Merida was heralded as the new Cesc Fabregas when he was signed by Arsenal from the Barcelona academy in 2005.

But he made just a handful of first-team appearances for the Gunners and moved to Atletico Madrid in 2010 on the back of a loan spell with Real Sociedad.

Merida has also had spells with Braga, Hercules and most recently Paranaense.

Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 - Rating: 4.5

Title : Middlesbrough decide against Merida move
Description : The former Arsenal midfielder had been training with the north east club but manager Aitor Karanka has chosen not to offer the 24-year-old a...

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