Atalanta would be open to loaning defender Merih Demiral to Inter Milan, but want a purchase obligation in the deal.
This according to Italian news outlet FCInterNews, who report that the Nerazzurri would counter with the possibility of an initial paid loan which contains a purchase option, but one that is not mandatory.
Inter had already reportedly been close to signing 25-year-old Turkish international Demiral during the January transfer window of last season. At the time, they had lined him up as a possible emergency replacement for Milan Skriniar.
Inter were ready to move for Demiral if Paris Saint-Germain had made an acceptable offer to sign Skriniar midseason. In the end, that did not happen and so both Demiral and Skriniar stayed put.
However, that delayed the inevitable. Skriniar has left the Nerazzurri at the end of his contract, and should join PSG imminently.
However, with Skriniar having now left, Inter are back in the hunt for a replacement. And, having missed out on Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, they’ve reportedly turned their attention back to Demiral again.
Atalanta Open To Merih Demiral Loan To Inter But Want Purchase Obligation
Demiral looks likely to leave Atalanta before the start of next season.
The reason for this is that the former Juventus and Sassuolo defender has fallen out with La Dea coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
As such, the player will push for an exit. For their part, Atalanta are happy to look for a new club for Demiral, although not necessarily as urgently as the player himself is.
According to FCIN, there are Turkish clubs interested in signing Demiral. However, the player’s preference is to join Inter.
In any event, finding a feasible formula for a deal could be key for Inter.
The Nerazzurri want to sign Demiral on an initial loan.
For their part, La Dea are open to this. However, they will insist on a purchase obligation at the end of the deal. They value the 25-year-old at around €15-20 million.
Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri would counter with an offer of an initial paid loan. They will offer a loan fee of around €2 million.
Then, at the end of the loan there would be a purchase option. However, it would not be mandatory.
