Published 02:21 IST, November 3rd 2019
Football transfer rumours: Man United, Arsenal eye Merih Demiral
Juventus defender Merih Demiral is a target for Manchester United and Arsenal in the winter transfer window after failing to get playing time in Italy.
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Manchester United and Arsenal are eyeing up possibility of a move for Juventus and Turkish defender Merih Demiral. Reports in Italy recently also claimed that AC Milan could make a move to sign a centre-back in January 2020, depending on how Mattia Caldara’s return to action goes. Caldara returned to training with his team-mates again but has t played a competitive game for senior side in over six months.
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DeLigt preferred over Demiral at Juventus
Demiral, 21, left Turkish outfit Alanyaspor to join Italian champions Juventus for £15m in summer of 2019. But centre-back’s move has so far proved disappointing, with boss Maurizio Sarri only using him in ir 2-1 Serie A win over Hellas Verona in October. He has fallen behind pecking order and Sarri prefers Matthijs DeLigt over Turk. DeLigt was also signed in same window and has successfully filled void created by absence of Georgio Chiellini in defence.
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Arsenal are always looking for new faces in order to add some extra stability to ir shaky defensive ranks, whereas United were believed to be interested in Demiral prior to going after Harry Maguire. United made Harry Maguire most expensive defender of all time in summer, forking out £80m to prise England centre-half away from Leicester City FC.
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Demiral had only just signed for Old Lady at time, who were impressed by his performances on loan at Sassuolo in second half of 2018/19 campaign. As for Arsenal, y signed Brazil centre-back David Luiz from Chelsea in a last-ditch deadline day deal. But Unai Emery’s side hasn’t looked stronger at back since his arrival, conceding 14 goals in ir first 10 Premier League games of season.
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02:20 IST, November 3rd 2019