Daniil Merkulov, the dynamic Russian, is rumoured to be in advanced talks with Jadran Herceg Novi, a club he knows well from his earlier career.
According to sources close to the player, the 27-year-old could be set for a return to the Adriatic, just a season after arriving in Italy.
Merkulov, born in Moscow on March 3, 1997, made his name with Jug Dubrovnik, Jadran Herceg Novi, and most recently FTC-Telekom before joining Savona. A powerful shooter with a keen eye for goal, he’s been capped 23 times for the Russian national team and was widely seen as a key figure in Savona’s push to close the gap on Pro Recco.
His potential exit will raise eyebrows in Italy, especially given Savona’s clear intent to compete both domestically and in Europe. But if the rumours prove true, Jadran would be reclaiming a player entering his prime—bringing valuable Champions League experience and offensive firepower to Herceg Novi as they prepare for a fresh European campaign in the 2025-26 season.
No official statement has been made by either club, but the whispers are getting louder: Merkulov might be heading back to Montenegro