Newcastle United passed on the chance to sign the man Juventus once regarded as the next Leonardo Bonucci.
Fully-fledged Turkey international Merih Demiral was offered to United last week by the Serie A side but in the end, Atalanta, the club where Newcastle have scouted him at in recent times, took up a €20million clause to buy him on a permanent basis.
An Atalanta statement read today: "Atalanta announce that the club have activated their option to purchase Merih Demiral on a permanent basis from Juventus."
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Sources in Italy say that this doesn't necessarily mean that this spells the end in Newcastle's interest as the purchase of the centre-back is deemed as a piece of shrewd business by the Bergamo club and he could be sold on for a profit. Yet, for now at least, Newcastle are looking elsewhere.
But the fact the Magpies resisted the chance to sign the former Sporting Lisbon man offers a hint of Newcastle's intentions behind the scenes on their pursuit of a centre-back. United have already turned down the chance to sign Burnley's soon to be out of contract England international James Tarkowski, with Everton his next port of call.
Ideally, Eddie Howe would love to land Sven Botman and pair him with Fabian Schar in the heart of his defence. Nathan Ake of Man City is the other ambitious target but at £50million with the former Bournemouth man's price tag coming in just above Botman's overall package fee.
Botman remains on holiday but as Chronicle Live reported this week they are yet to receive a "definitive no" from the Dutchman or his representatives. And while AC Milan are still believed to be his preference, Newcastle have the advantage when it comes to money.
Ake made just 10 starts in the Man City starting line-up but has vowed to keep fighting for his place. Ake said last week: "I was taught at a young age that you should always keep going and never give up. That your chance can come again and that is now the case."
