Man Utd told €40m Maguire alternative is not for sale

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Merih Demiral TEAMtalk

Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of a promising Juventus defender, who was being considered as an alternative to Harry Maguire.

With just two weeks until the start of the season, United are yet to add a new centre-back to their squad, despite it being outlined as a priority position.

Leicester are playing hard ball over England star Harry Maguire, meaning United have been forced to run background checks on backup plans – one of which was rumoured to be Juventus starlet Merih Demiral.

Demiral arrived at Juventus via Sassuolo only this year, but due to the competition for places at the back in Turin, it had been suggested that he could leave either on loan or permanently.

Reports suggested that United had opened talks over the possibility of signing the Turkish international, who came through the youth ranks at Fenerbahce.

However, Demiral’s agent has now ruled out a potential exit for the 21-year-old in an interview with Fiorentina News.

“Merih is happy and nobody wants to sell him now,” explained Cenk Melik Yazici. “Demiral will stay at Juventus and will not be sold either outright or on loan.”

One Juventus defender who could be on the move, though, is Daniele Rugani, whose links with Arsenal have been praised by a pundit.

 

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