Merih Demiral is ready to turn down Nottingham Forest for a second time despite the Premier League outfit willing to splash out £17 million for Atalanta’s Turkey international.
After missing out on Roger Ibanez – the Roma defender becoming the latest high-profile player to join the Saudi Arabian revolution – Steve Cooper’s side could face further disappointment in pursuit of another Serie A centre-half.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Merih Demiral has ‘no intention’ of accepting Nottingham Forest’s offer. Forest have held talks with Atalanta, and are willing to part with £17 million. But Demiral, who rebuffed the two-time European Champions in favour of a move to Inter Milan which never materialised during the January window, is now hoping to receive a call from Jose Mourinho instead; Roma forced into the market for an Ibanez replacement.
Nottingham Forest set for Merih Demiral frustration
Once of Juventus, Demiral has struggled for first-team football with Atalanta. He did not start any of la Dea’s final 13 games of the 2022/23 Serie A season.
Demiral would certainly find game time easier to come by at the City Ground. Scott McKenna, Willy Boly and Moussa Niakhate have suffered injury-hit spells in the East Midlands, while former Atletico Madrid stopper Felipe is expected to miss this weekend’s opening day clash against Arsenal.
“Demiral is strong. He can become even stronger in the future,” Italy legend Roberto Baggio told TRT Spor just last year of the one-time Allianz Stadium youngster.
“He is a young, dynamic, ambitious and hard-working player.”
Demiral could come cheaper than Ibanez, who is jetting out to the Middle East to the tune of around £24 million. Fabrizio Romano claimed that Nottingham Forest had submitted a bid for the Brazilian. Though Ibanez’s agent was quick to play down those reports.
“It’s just talk,” Lodovico Spinosi told TAG24, via TMW. “There hasn’t been any offer for the player from the English club. “I have heard rumours of interest.
“But no concrete action has followed at the moment.”
