Everton transfer: Toffees ahead of Arsenal in race for Juventus man

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Everton are leading Arsenal in the race to sign Juventus misfit Merih Demiral, according to Tuttosport. The Toffees have entered talks with the burly central defender.

Both Premier League outfits are keen on landing the player. He is valued at £37.5 million by the Old Lady and will be allowed to leave this summer.

Demiral has fallen way down the pecking order in Turin. He featured just 24 times under Andrea Pirlo last season and will seek pastures new.

The central defender has been with Juventus since 2019 when he checked in from Sassuolo. He has made 32 appearances for the Serie A club in all competitions.

Both Everton and Arsenal will be in the market for new players this summer. Defenders are also likely to be high on the list of priorities for the window.

The Gunners are close to a deal to sign Ben White from Brighton. As a result, it seems unlikely they will pay a substantial amount out for another centre-back.

Everton don’t currently have a manager. The report does suggest that no official bid will be made until that vacancy is fulfilled.

Marcel Brands is an admirer though. Once the manager situation is sorted, the Toffees could move pretty quickly.

Demiral might be a risk worth taking for Everton

Last season the Toffees imploded. After racing out of the blocks they finished in a disappointing tenth place in the Premier League table.

Their form at Goodison Park was poor and whoever gets the job will need to be capable of progressing the club.

With that in mind, Demiral might be a decent signing. He would arrive with a point to prove and has the credentials to improve at just 23-years-old.

Everton could do with a centre-back and if a deal could be struck, the Toffees could do a lot worse than signing the Turkish performer.