Nottingham Forest are now ready to submit a significant bid to sign Newcastle target Merih Demiral from Atalanta.
What’s the story?
Well, Steve Cooper is keen to strengthen his backline on deadline day, and is set to make an offer for the Turkey international – according to Tutto Atalanta.
It comes after Calcio Mercato Web claimed that Newcastle want to sign Demiral ahead of the transfer deadline.
Tutto Atalanta believe Nottingham Forest are now ready to submit a €26m (£23m) bid plus bonuses to sign the 24-year-old.
However, the Premier League side face competition from Inter Milan – the Italian giants are said to view Demiral as a replacement for Milan Skriniar, who is joining Paris Saint-Germain.
So far this season, the Atalanta No.28 has made 17 appearances in Serie A, scoring one goal.
Nottingham Forest have recently done business with the Italian outfit after signing Remo Freuler from them back in the summer.
Interestingly, Tutto Atalanta add that Cooper is also keen to sign Duvan Zapata from the Serie A side, so there could be a double raid on them ahead of the transfer deadline at 11pm tonight.
Nottingham Forest need Demiral more than Newcastle
In our view, Demiral should choose Nottingham Forest over Newcastle, as he would have a better chance of playing time at the City Ground.
Newcastle have the best defence in the Premier League so far this season with just 11 goals conceded in 20 games.
The likes of Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier have been superb at the back, which means it will be difficult for Demiral to break into the starting XI.
However, Cooper could certainly do with an upgrade on Scott McKenna or Joe Worrall, and Demiral would represent a significant step up in quality given his reputation.
The Turkish colossus also has Champions League experience to his name.
Keep an eye on this situation, as it seems Nottingham Forest could soon submit an official bid.
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