Real Madrid and Manchester United will reportedly need to fend off stiff competition from La Liga champions Atletico Madrid to sign Merih Demiral.
According to reputed Turkish journalist Yakup Cinar, Merih Demiral has popped up on the radar of Atletico Madrid over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old defender is also a target for Real Madrid and Manchester United, with a €28 million permanent transfer to Atalanta likely to be completed first.
Merih Demiral has resurrected his stuttering career since joining Atalanta on loan from Juventus last summer. The Turkish international has established himself as a key figure for La Dea, turning out 32 times across all competitions, chipping in with two goals and two assists.
Following several convincing performances from the 24-year-old, Atalanta will exercise the purchase option in the loan deal to sign him permanently in the summer transfer window. But just like Cristian Romero last year, Demiral could leave Atalanta immediately, with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid hot on his trail.
The interest from Real Madrid stems from the lack of quality options at Carlo Ancelotti’s disposal beyond Eder Militao and David Alaba. And with the first-choice central defensive duo leaving a lot to be desired in the recent defeat to Barcelona, Real Madrid could do with a top-notch centre-back, making Demiral a viable target.
But the Turkish defender is also the subject of interest from Manchester United. The Red Devils need to sign a centre-back for a second successive summer because Harry Maguire has been a shell of his best version this season. In addition, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones could leave Manchester United permanently, thereby necessitating the addition of a new central defender.
But Real Madrid and Manchester United will have to fend off stiff competition from reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid to sign Demiral. The 24-year-old could be a direct replacement for Felipe, who will likely depart the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer transfer window.
For now, what appears to be certain is that Demiral will likely join Atalanta permanently in the summer transfer window. But he could leave the Serie A club immediately, with Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Manchester United keen on securing his services.