Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Juventus defender Merih Demiral, who is shining on loan at Atalanta.
According to Calciomercato, Real Madrid are monitoring the performances of Merih Demiral at Serie A outfit Atalanta and are interested in signing the Turkish defender in the summer transfer window.
Demiral has had a bit of a journeyman career, having travelled quite a fair bit despite his young age. Having started with Turkish giants Fenerbahce, the 24-year-old moved to Portugal in 2017, signing for Alcanenense, before joining Sporting CP shortly afterwards. But he made just one appearance for the Portuguese giants and had loan spells at Alanyaspor in Turkey before moving permanently in January 2019.
Demiral was immediately loaned out to Sassuolo, where he impressed heavily. The Serie A side signed him permanently in the summer, only to sell him to Juventus. However, the Turkish defender’s two years in Turin were largely spent warming the bench or on the treatment tables as he made just 32 appearances before signing for Atalanta on loan last year.
Since joining La Dea, the 24-year-old has flourished and has started to live up to the immense potential he has shown throughout his career. Demiral has made 29 appearances so far for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side and has ensured that they have not felt the loss of Cristian Romero, who moved to Tottenham in the summer.
Atalanta paid a €3 million loan fee to Juventus to sign him and have an option to buy him permanently for a sum of €28 million, which they intend to trigger. However, Real Madrid could swoop in for the defender and lure him away immediately after La Dea get their hands on him in the summer.
Real Madrid are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements, which is understandable considering the lack of top-quality options beyond Eder Militao and David Alaba. Nacho is into his thirties and is merely seen as a backup option, while Jesus Vallejo is out of favour under Carlo Ancelotti.
So, a new centre-back is a top priority for Real Madrid before next season, leading to links with several defenders, including Bayern Munich’s Lucas Hernandez and Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger, who has been in constant talks with Los Blancos. Merih Demiral has also emerged as a transfer target for Real Madrid ahead of the summer.
The report states that Real Madrid would have to shell out a sum of €50 million if they wish to convince Atalanta to part ways with Demiral immediately after they sign him permanently. Whether the La Liga leaders are willing to meet those demands remains to be seen.
