Atalanta are preparing to activate the buy-out clause for Merih Demiral, currently on loan from Juventus, but their plan involves selling the Turkish international immediately after making the deal permanent.
Demiral, who joined Atalanta on loan last summer, delivered a strong season. However, Atalanta’s failure to secure European football for next season—finishing 8th in Serie A—has complicated the defender’s future with the club.
Initially, Atalanta intended to sign Demiral permanently only if they qualified for European competitions. Despite missing out on Europe, La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Juventusnews24) reports that Atalanta will proceed with the permanent transfer regardless.
The catch? Atalanta do not plan to retain Demiral long-term. Instead, the club’s management aims to find a buyer immediately after the deal, with a preference for suitors from the Premier League.
This approach mirrors Atalanta’s strategy with Cristian Romero, whom they signed permanently from Juventus before selling him to Tottenham Hotspur last summer. If successful, this move could once again prove profitable for La Dea.