According to new information gathered by Goal, Juventus have no intention of selling Merih Demiral, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal, as the youngster is starting to earn Maurizio Sarri’s trust.
What’s the word, then?
The 21-year-old defender has been used rather sparingly this season and to this point in the ongoing 2019/20 campaign, he has only managed to tally 450 minutes across five games in all competitions.
Even though we are talking about a rather young player who’s still at the very beginning of his career, those figures are still low and he needs minute in order to properly continue his development.
But Goal understand that Sarri is warming to the prospect of having Demiral in his squad and as a result, the Bianconeri won’t allow any potential suitors to snatch him away in January.
It seems there is not really a lack of interest but the interested clubs are all likely to end up disappointed as the 21-year-old is bound to stay put in Turin – a development that feels like the right move for Sarri.
The best is yet to come
Even though his minute tally wouldn’t really suggest that Sarri has changed his mind on Demiral – considering he can still only boast with five games under his belt in 2019/20 – it’s important to note that the vast majority of his appearances have arrived in recent weeks.
While he spent most of the campaign warming the bench, the 21-year-old has completed the full 90 minutes of Juventus’ last two clashes in Serie A, their final Champions League game and also their most recent Cup venture.
This is a big indication that he’s indeed being gradually reintroduced to the squad. Of course, having competition from the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and veterans like Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, it’s natural that he has struggled for game time.
But there’s plenty of potential already visible in the youngster.
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Back at Sassuolo, he made 14 appearances and averaged 1.7 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 5.6 clearances and 0.8 blocks per game, which are, especially for such a young player, rather impressive figures.
And for that reason, Arsenal’s interest doesn’t really come as a surprise.
With their backline ageing and having already leaked 30 goals in 21 Premier League clashes, reinforcements are needed.
Demiral could refresh their squad, add some much-needed quality and youth, and continue his development under Arteta.
Both David Luiz and Sokratis are over 30 and not getting any younger, so the Bianconeri gem definitely looks like a great scoop if they can make it happen.
But with Juventus’ new stance and Sarri’s renewed trust, the Gunners might hit a brick wall in their pursuit.
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