Italian website CalcioMercatoWeb claim Newcastle remain interested in signing Merih Demiral from Juventus – but Chelsea could now land the Turkish defender in a straight swap deal for midfielder Jorginho.
Demiral, 24, has starred for Atalanta during the 2021-22 season – playing 42 times and ridding himself of his supposed injury-prone status. Atalanta had the chance to make his move a permanent one this summer.
But instead of paying the necessary £16million fee – on top of the initial loan fee – Atalanta have waved goodbye to Demiral. A strange decision, and one that leaves Demiral in limbo. He has little chance of a Juve breakthrough.
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Reports this week said that Demiral would favour a move to Newcastle amid interest from Tyneside. But now, he could be off to Stamford Bridge. That is because Chelsea could offer Jorginho in a straight swap.
Jorginho’s £117k-a-week (CMW) deal ends in 2023 and Chelsea are keen to offload. Chelsea need a defender and know Juventus like Jorginho – so, the two parties could come to a swap deal with both rated at around £26million.
Chelsea could land Demiral in swap deal; Newcastle remain interested
It is a bit of a left-field claim – but it makes sense. Chelsea are hardly going to renew Jorginho’s contract with the midfielder turning 31 in December. He has been good, but he is not worth the sizable contract he earns.
A return to Serie A is likely. Juventus like him, and Chelsea need defenders with Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all going. Demiral would be a good start for the Blues.
Yes, a move to Newcastle would have been a good one for Demiral – but a move to Chelsea is even better. It sees Chelsea get value out of Jorginho, rid themselves of a high earner, and ease their defensive crisis.
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