Nottingham Forest are said to have reignited their interest in Atalanta defender Merih Demiral.
The Reds, along with Inter Milan and Newcastle United, were linked with the Turkey international in January as they looked to strengthen at the back. A 26 million euros (£23 million) bid was mooted, with reports later suggesting the player “refused an offer” to move to the City Ground.
Forest are looking to bolster their central defensive options again now the summer window has opened. And Turkish-Football claim they are ready to make a move for the 25-year-old.
It is said they have been scouting Demiral “for several months”. A potential price tag is not known, but the report states Atalanta would be prepared to sell and the man himself is “keen” on playing in the Premier League.
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Demiral joined Atalanta from Juventus on a permanent deal last summer, following a loan spell at the club. He made 28 Serie A appearances last season but fell down the pecking order somewhat towards the end of the campaign. Able to play at right-back as well as at centre-back, he is said to be weighing up his options this summer.
The Reds are yet to make any additions to their squad since the window opened last month. However, transfer activity is expected to ramp up as Steve Cooper’s side prepare to return for pre-season, with incomings and outgoings on the cards.
Forest do have a number of central defenders already on the books, but a number of them are on deals which expire in 12 months’ time. Typically, this is about the time when clubs either offer fresh terms or look to cash-in, rather than seeing players walk away as free agents.
Joe Worrall, Loic Mbe Soh, Scott McKenna, Steve Cook, Willy Boly and Felipe all have contracts which run out in 2024. Moussa Niakhate and Jonathan Panzo are the only centre-backs with longer deals - until 2025 - although Giulian Biancone can also play there.
