Newcastle United ‘ready’ to pay £17m for transfer of Juventus star

Newcastle United have expressed interest in signing Juventus’ Merih Demiral in recent weeks and are now ready to pay £17 million to lure him to England, according to Turkish outlet C2 Haber.

The centre-back joined the Serie A giants in 2019 on a five-year contract for €18 million, before spending last season on loan at Atalanta.

Demiral enjoyed a brilliant campaign in Bergamo and has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United and Inter Milan.

It was reported last week that Calcio Mercato were ready to pursue the option to buy clause in Demiral’s contract and would sell him on straight away, for as much as £43 million.

However, the Magpies will be delighted by the latest news that the 24-year-old is likely to remain in Turin and so could be available for just over £17 million.

The Premier League club are also boosted by Demiral’s positivity about the transfer, with the report claiming the Turkey international is eager to make the move to St. James’ Park.

Newcastle are desperate to bolster their defence this summer and if they fail to secure the signing of Sven Botman this summer then Demiral could prove to be a real bargain option.