Regarding the Merkel debate, I think we can all agree that if he stayed next year he would have been a bench/squad player. I think we can agree as well that Traore for example is also going to be a bench/squad player. Now I am not sure if we wanted Traore because of his defensive skills and strength compared to Merkel but we all think we should have more creative players in that midfield. So Merkel seems the player that was needed in this squad more than Traore. So from that point of view, I think it was purely a matter of cash as probably both earn similar wages but we could "sell" Merkel for 5mio(?) and get Traore for free.
Now if we end up buying a really good creative midfielder (Hernanes) or Traore ends being the new Viera then letting Merkel go would probably be the right thing to do.
Now if we end up buying a really good creative midfielder (Hernanes) or Traore ends being the new Viera then letting Merkel go would probably be the right thing to do.