Merih Demiral’s career at Atalanta is drawing to a close after a strained relationship between the club and the player snapped definitely. According to L’eco di Bergamo, via Tuttomercatoweb, one way or another, the Turkey international won’t be part of Gian Piero Gasperini’s team next season.
Demiral’s omission from the pre-season squad has made it abundantly clear what Atalanta think of their out-of-favor defender. Gasperini’s men have run out of patience with the 25-year-old only one year after splashing out €20 million to sign him from Juventus.
After going from strength to strength during his loan spell in Bergamo in 2021/22, Demiral earned a permanent contract last summer. However, things didn’t go his way last season, as he lost his place in the starting XI. His downfall in 2022/23 convinced Atalanta to put him on the chopping block.
It’s hard to imagine Atalanta recollecting the amount they invested to prise Demiral away from Juventus a year ago. La Dea will likely have to settle for a sizeable capital loss, with the Turk’s current market value standing at €15m.
Letting their misfit move out on loan is a more likely scenario. Atalanta would embrace that prospect, though they’d likely insist on an obligation to buy. Luckily for the Italians, there’s no shortage of suitors for Demiral despite his recent struggle.
Several Premier League sides have recently joined Inter in the race to land the former Sassuolo center-back. The Nerazzurri are exploring the possibility of approaching Demiral to replace Milan Skriniar, who left the club to join Paris Saint-Germain earlier in July.
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