Nottingham Forest are now interested in trying to sign Merih Demiral during the summer transfer window. The Reds tried, and failed, to land the central defender during the January transfer window of last year.
The Turkey international could be available for transfer in the coming weeks. Atalanta have made a decision on the player and Forest have been scouting the defender for some time.
Demiral is only 25-years-old and he’s also versatile. He has been known to operate at right-back during his career but is certainly more natural at the heart of the defensive unit.
It’s been claimed that Forest are now set to make a move by the Daily Mail. It’s believed that Steve Cooper wants to strengthen his rearguard and is still keen to sign Demiral this summer.
The 25-year-old penned a permanent deal with Atalanta last summer. He signed from Juventus where he was deemed surplus to requirements and made 28 appearances for the club in Serie A.
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Demiral previously spent two seasons on loan with the Bergamo-based outfit. In total, he played 70 times in the famous black and blue but his days with the Serie A outfit could now be numbered.
The player earns £60,000-a-week and Forest are willing to part with £17 million to sign him ahead of the transfer window closing.
Forest now interested in trying to sign Demiral again
This would be a pretty useful signing made by the Reds. Other, much bigger clubs, have been linked with a move for the defender during previous transfer windows.
The Reds are a little bit light on central defenders. Felipe and Moussa Niakhate are injured, with Willy Boly, Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna the only options available right now.
Forest want another defender quickly. Demiral might need some convincing, however, considering he’s rejected a move to the City Ground before.