Leicester front of queue to sign Turkish defender Merih Demiral

Leicester City are front of queue for a promising Turkish defender to partner with Caglar Soyuncu next season. Let’s see who he is and what he offers!

Firstly, no it is not Ozan Kabak – currently playing at Liverpool FC. Leicester City have been linked with a young Juventus star for quite a while now. Especially after last season when it is reported the King Power side placed in excess of £30 million on the table for him. This was rejected at the time.

As reported by SportWitness, that player is Merih Demiral, a Turkish international centre-back, with immense quality and strength. Let’s have a quick look as what he brings to the table and how much we will have to pay for him.

Do not forget the many potential high-profile targets in midfield, strikers, winger, and goalkeeping positions as well. Also check out two young Foxes stars who could debut next season with Demiral: Kamal Sowah and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Leicester City: Sign Demiral!

Merih Demiral is a 23-year-old Turkish star, who is as promising, if not more so, than fan-favourite Caglar Soyuncu. He plays less often than ‘Cags’ does for us, simply due to the quality in that Juventus side and the way they play.

His qualities are easy to sum up: strength, decision-making, and a danger-sense. Let’s go through each in turn.

In terms of strength, he is a beast. If you want a defender who can stand completely still, and still block an opposition player from getting passed them, then this is your player. The Foxes have Jonny Evans for this role at the moment, he will need replacing soon.

In terms of decision-making, he is very similar, though less composed, to Jonny Evans. He is not as tall of course, so deciding to head the ball is less useful than with Evans. That being said, Demiral tends to make the right choice of defensive action. Be that rushing for an interception, making a tough tackle, or holding back and staying goal side of an attacker.

In a way slightly similar – though less aggressively proactive and reactionary – light to Wesley Fofana, Demiral seeks to snuff out danger on his goalkeeper and fellow backline players. This does lead him to get many interceptions – like Fofana – and to rush beyond the defensive line often.

Comparing Evans and Demiral on SofaScore, we find that Evans may have slightly higher metrics, but the style we see coming through the metrics is equivalent. In essence, Demiral is the perfect replacement at Leicester for Evans.

It is reported the value could be anywhere between £35 and £40 million to seize Demiral from Juventus this transfer window.

Signing Demiral would bolster an already world-class defensive partnership, creating a young, mutually understanding, and terrifyingly strong Turkish wall. The signing would be integrated quicker into the Foxes squad by the presence of Soyuncu, and could help to retain Soyuncu going forward.

On a final note, his signing would spell the end for three players’ Leicester City careers: Daniel Amartey – he just would not be needed – Filip Benkovic – the current Jonny Evans equivalent – and Josh Knight (who has played midfield for Wycombe Wanderers this season). Sign him up Foxes!