After a few weeks of claims that Atalanta would not be buying Merih Demiral from Juventus, the Serie A side finally decided to trigger the option in the loan deal and secure his services permanently.
However, that doesn’t mean he will be staying, as there is a very high chance the Turkey international will be sold for a profit in the coming weeks; much like Cristian Romero was sent to Tottenham last summer in similar circumstances.
Newcastle United have been linked with the centre-back, and this is the idea that continues to make the more sense in the eyes of the Italian press.
Gazzetta dello Sport pushed the idea over the weekend of Demiral heading to St James’ Park in the near future, with ‘the most concrete possibility’ being that ‘of his departure’.
In fact, ‘it’s unlikely’ that he will be in Bergamo next season, as the ‘intention would be to let the player go’ if the right offer comes along.
That’s where England come in, seems as ‘the most probably hypothesis’, with ‘Newcastle at the top of the list’ of suitors.
It’s no secret that Eddie Howe is still trying to bolster his defence ahead of next season, with Sven Botman the clear number one target.
That being said, with Milan competing against Newcastle for the Dutchman’s transfer as well, backup options are needed, which appears to be what Demiral could be for the Magpies at this moment in time.
