Fabio Paratici is now looking into a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur for Atalanta centre-back Merih Demiral. But the Spurs chief must rival Inter Milan for the Nottingham Forest target.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports Paratici remains a big fan of Demiral and wants to sign him again. Spurs’ managing director spearheaded the 24-year-old’s switch to Juventus from Sassuolo in 2019. Now, he hopes to get the Turkey star to move to England.
Demiral has kept Paratici as a great admirer despite leaving the Bianconeri after only two years. Atalanta signed the 35-cap international in an initial loan deal in August 2021 which they made permanent in June 2022. They paid €20m (£18m), plus €2.5m (£2m) in add-ons.
Atalanta star Merih Demiral snubbed a transfer to Nottingham Forest in January
Juventus also included a 10% sell-on clause in the deal to sell Demiral to Atalanta. And the Serie A side nearly gained a further sum this January as La Dea warmed to letting the 6 ft 2 enforcer leave. But Demiral turned down his chance to land a move to Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest were above all in the race to sign Demiral from Atalanta in the January transfer window. Yet the Reds would not convince the defender to join their fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League. While Inter Milan also explored a loan-to-buy swoop.
Inter Milan satisfied Atalanta with their suggested terms of an option and obligation to buy in the summer. But his arrival at San Siro was directly linked to Milan Skriniar leaving as the Nerazzurri consider Demiral to be their ideal replacement for the Slovakian set to join PSG.
Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici is looking to rival Inter Milan for Merih Demiral
Skriniar is out of contract at San Siro at the end of the season, so Inter Milan will revisit the arrival of Demiral. Yet the Serie A side may have to rival Paratici’s admiration as he targets Demiral’s transfer to Tottenham from Atalanta. While La Dea should demand a fair profit.
According to TuttoMercatoWEB, Atalanta were happy to accept Nottingham Forest’s offer for Demiral’s transfer in January. The City Ground outfit put forward an initial loan with an option to buy worth €28m (£25m). It could have also become an obligation on set criteria.
Nottingham Forest’s offer should set the foundations for Atalanta’s valuation if Tottenham or Inter Milan return for Demiral’s transfer. He is also under contract until June 2026 at the Gewiss Stadium. While the defender has featured in 18 of their 22 Serie A games this term.
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