Leicester react with €40m-plus bid for defender as Man City hunt colossus

Merih Demiral TEAMtalk

Leicester are one of two clubs to have submitted a bid in excess of €40m for Juventus defender Merih Demiral, according to a report.

Demiral, who has also been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks, is struggling to settle under Juve boss Maurizio Sarri having only made five appearances in all competitions this term.

The Turkish international’s distinct lack of game time has led him to be linked with a move away from Turin and it would seem he has Premier League suitors.

United are said to be keen as they look to add a solid partner for Harry Maguire, while Arsenal are in need of defensive additions due to their poor record at the back, with Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng reportedly on the Gunners’ radar.

As well as United and Arsenal, Calciomercato claims that Leicester and Dortmund have now submitted firm bids for Demiral.

The source says that the Foxes’ bid comes after Manchester City’s €45m attempt to sign Leicester’s Caglar Soyuncu.

However, Brendan Rodgers’ team are said to value Soyuncu at nearer €70m, following a stunning first half of the season in which he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs.

City have had to resort to using the likes of Fernandinho and Eric Garcia at the back due to Aymeric Laporte’s long-term injury he suffered in August.

 

 

Meanwhile, City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed that he is “confident” that Fernandinho will extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium.

The Brazilian’s contract is set to expire in the summer but speaking in a press conference on Friday, Guardiola insisted that he hopes the 34-year-old will stay on.

“Of course I would like him to stay,” he said of Fernandinho, who joined City in 2013.

“I am confident and I am delighted with our three and a half years together. He convinced me on day one.”