Tottenham and Everton are in the market for a central defender. The transfer window will shut in four days and the Premier League clubs will have to act quickly if they want to secure their targets.
Everton have only Michael Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate as senior centre-halves. The latter has been injured for a while and has yet to play a game for the Toffees this season.
Tottenham, on the other hand, have Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier at the back. Japhet Tanganga is also available, but Spurs need a replacement for Jan Vertonghen who left the club at the end of last season.
Everton and Tottenham both have huge aspirations for this season and it looks as though that isn’t the only common thread between the clubs.
TuttoJuve recently claimed the Premier League rivals are chasing the same defender, with Everton and Tottenham having £27 million bids for Merih Demiral rejected by Juventus.
The Turkish international is one of the highest-rated young defenders in world football. Still only 22, Demiral has been linked with a move to England for more than a year.
Juventus blocked a move last season and it looks as though they are prepared to do the same now. Demiral is viewed as a successor to Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
The Turk and Matthijs de Ligt are viewed as the future of Juventus’ defence. Supporters of The Old Lady took to Twitter to express their views about Tottenham and Everton’s reported bids. It’s safe to say they want their defender to stay put.
Here’s how a few of them reacted on Twitter
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