Report: Bayern Munich scoping Juventus defender Merih Demiral

Per a report from Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Bayern Munich is said to be taking a close look at Juventus defender Merih Demiral. The 22-year-old Turkish center-back could potentially be a contingency plan for the Bavarians should their pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano fall through.

German outlet Abendzeitung captured the report from Romano, who appeared on a “live post” with the 433’s Instagram channel:

As the Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano explained in a live post on the “433” Instagram channel, the German record champions are said to have kept an eye on Merih Demiral from Juventus Turin.

Numerous top European clubs are said to have expressed their interest in the 22-year-old Turkish international by 2020. According to Tuttosport, Juventus is said to have rejected all offers that are said to have been between 35 and 40 million euros.

Well, at €35 to €40 million, Demiral would be in range of what Bayern Munich would expect to pay for Upamecano, but would the Bavarians really value the young defender that much?

Probably not — especially because Demiral has had trouble breaking into Juve’s lineup this season:

So far this season things have not gone so well for Demiral as the Turkish defender has only been in the starting line-up six times. A situation with which the 22-year-old is not be satisfied.

Even with David Alaba and Jerome Boateng likely leaving Munich, a move for Demiral seems just a bit far-fetched at this stage.