The intriguing Merih Demiral update that will have piqued Newcastle United’s interest

The Turkish international is set to be made available this summer.

Published 14th Jun 2022, 18:05 BST

Updated 15th Jun 2022, 06:15 BST

Reported Newcastle United summer transfer target Merih Demiral will NOT be signed by loan club Atalanta, alerted a number of interested suitors to his potential availability.

The Serie A outfit had been expected to pay the near £20million it would take to make Demiral’s loan move from Juventus permanent. However, reports out of Italy suggest they will not pay the fee and the player will remain, for now, at Juve.

Merih Demiral of Atalanta BC reacts during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on January 22, 2022 in Rome, Italy.

It is unlikely Juventus will keep the 24-year-old player this summer, and it is expected the central defender will be seeking pastures new.

Demiral has, in the last few days, been linked with a move to United as a deal for Netherlands youth international Sven Botman continues to stall.

The Lille player is also wanted by AC Milan, while Demiral is a player being courted by the likes of Inter Milan.

Eddie Howe is keen to sign at least one central defender this summer as he eyes an evolution at United, rather than a revolution.