According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United have been offered the chance to sign Juventus defender Merih Demiral.
Lee Ryder has revealed that the 24-year-old is someone Newcastle scouts are familiar with, stating that we ‘took a closer look’ at the Turkish international during his loan spell with Atalanta last season.
Atalanta have an option to sign the centre-back for €20million, but that potential permanent switch is believed to have stalled, as the Serie A side have financial troubles after failing to qualify for Europe.
As a result, The Chronicle reckon Eddie Howe has been handed the chance to bring the 6ft 4′ defender to St James’ Park, stating that another loan with an option to buy is being mooted.
This comes after a couple of Italian outlets credited us with an interest in Demiral over the weekend, with Football Italia and Tuttosport backing Newcastle to beat Atalanta to a deal.
It’s worth noting that the no nonsense Turk is a right-footed centre-back, suggesting any move for him would be separate to Sven Botman; who is left-sided and closing in on a big money move from Lille.
Botman, Burn, Demiral and Schar with young Watts as cover.
That’s central Defence sorted out. Four places in the Squad and one (Burn) homegrown.
PremAndUp(Quote)