Real Madrid are reportedly among the chasing pack for Merih Demiral, with local rivals Atletico Madrid also keen on signing the 23-year-old.
According to a report by Italian outlet Tutto Juve, Merih Demiral is starting to become a hot property in the market ahead of the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old Juventus defender is being tailed by Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and several other clubs, although the Serie A champions are yet to entertain an offer for him.
Demiral joined Juventus from Sassuolo in the summer of 2019 but has since been unable to make much progress in his career owing to a spate of injuries. Till date, the Turkish centre-back has managed to amass just 31 appearances for the Bianconeri, who have played 98 games in this period.
However, despite struggling to establish a foothold in the Serie A champions’ first-team setup just yet, Demiral is a player who seems to be rated quite highly, as illustrated by the interest in the 23-year-old from some of the best clubs in the world. Two of these suitors are Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid are in the market for a central defender owing to the uncertain future that Raphael Varane is facing at the club. To that end, they are believed to be set to sign David Alaba on a five-year deal this summer. However, with captain Sergio Ramos at odds with the club over the terms of a new deal, it is understandable why they would want to sign two centre-backs.
To that end, Milan Skriniar is one of several targets for Real Madrid, with Demiral a viable target as well for Los Blancos. As for Atletico Madrid, they are set to make a few sweeping changes across their squad this summer, as per widespread reports, with defence likely to be addressed as well.
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Indeed, it has been suggested that Jose Maria Gimenez is facing an uncertain future at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Real Madrid coincidentally one of his suitors. As a result, Atletico Madrid do need to be on the lookout for a replacement, with Demiral an option worth considering, if he can put his fitness woes behind him.
Apart from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are also keen on signing Demiral, although Juventus are yet to receive an offer for him. With the race to sign the 23-year-old heating up, it will be interesting to see who makes the first move in his pursuit.
