Ancelotti-less Everton still have €40m defender firmly in sights
Everton reportedly remain in the box seat to sign Merih Demiral despite Carlo Ancelotti’s shock departure back to Real Madrid.
The Juventus defender was thought to be a target for Ancelotti after the Italian noticed the Turkey defender during his time in Italy.
In April it was claimed that Everton were ready to make their move for the centre-back. Liverpool and Tottenham have also been linked with the 23-year-old
According to TuttoJuve Spurs reignited their pursuit. However, the Corriere Dello Sport, via Sport Witness, insist Everton are “on pole” for the highly rated defender. And even the departure of Ancelotti back to Los Blancos has not dampened the talk in Italy.
It was thought the interest was being fuelled by the Italian, but the Italian outlet are sure that Everton remain in the hunt for the player, who will decide his future after the Euros.
It has been previously mentioned that Demiral was believed to be holding out for a bigger club. And he may get his wish if, as he he maybe planning, stars for Turkey at the Euros in the next month.
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Juve go for Milenkovic
Meanwhile, new Juve boss Max Allegri is looking for a long-term defensive partner for Matthijs De Ligt. Allegri wants to build around the Dutch centre-back, but Demiral is unlikely to be that man.
Gazzetta dello Sport suggest Demiral is not happy in Turin after two below-par seasons and suggest the player has got suitors in England.
Demiral suffered from a serious injury that saw him missing the majority of his first year in Turin. And Andrea Pirlo kept him on the bench during the last campaign.
The Old Lady are said to be eyeing up Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic as his replacement. They plan to use some the money received for Demiral, whom they value at €40m, to purchase the Serbia star.
Milenkovic, 23, will see his contract expire in Florence in 2022. Juve know they can pick up the defender for around €10m, which would represent terrific business if they can get close to their asking price for Demiral.
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