---
title: "Newcastle: Lee Ryder reacts to Merih Demiral transfer news"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/merih-demiral-newcastle-transfer-latest-lee-ryder-botman-pif/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2022-06-19T19:05:58Z"
modified: "2022-06-19T19:05:58Z"
---

# Newcastle: Lee Ryder reacts to Merih Demiral transfer news

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/)’s decision to turn down the option to sign Juventus centre-back Merih Demiral gives supporters a ‘big hint’ on the club’s transfer plans, according to Lee Ryder.**

### **The Lowdown: Newcastle turn down Demiral**

As per [Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-juventus-turn-down-24261052), the Magpies declined the opportunity to sign the defender just last week.

The 24-year-old was offered to Newcastle by the Serie A outfit after Eddie Howe’s staff had been [scouting him](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-juventus-turn-down-24261052) whilst he was on loan at Atalanta last season.

However, it has now been [announced](https://www.atalanta.it/en/news/atalanta-have-activated-their-buy-option-for-demiral/) that the Bergamo outfit have triggered a clause to purchase the Turkey international for just [€20m](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-juventus-turn-down-24261052) (£17.2m), leading the Magpies to pass up their chance to sign the defender.

### **The Latest: Ryder’s claim on Demiral**

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/lee_ryder/status/1538097181302964224) on Saturday morning, Ryder has commented on Newcastle’s decision to not sign Demiral, which he believes offers a significant clue as to their summer transfer plans. The reporter tweeted: “#nufc decision to turn down Juventus centre-back gives big hint on their plans”

In the [adjacent Chronicle Live article](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-juventus-turn-down-24261052), Ryder asserts that this illustrates the club’s intentions when it comes to signing a centre-back.

Having already passed on the soon-to-be free agent James Tarkowski, it is [reported](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-juventus-turn-down-24261052) that Howe would ideally pair Fabian Schar alongside transfer target Sven Botman, whilst Manchester City’s Nathan Ake is the other ambitious target identified by the Tyneside club.

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### **The Verdict: Confident in signing Botman?**

With Newcastle turning down Demiral, this could suggest that St James’ Park recruitment staff are confident of landing Botman from Lille, despite [rumours](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10921505/AC-Milan-race-Newcastle-target-Sven-Botman.html) linking the Dutchman with a move to AC Milan.

Nonetheless, this demonstrates the level of player that the Magpies are now aiming to sign – Demiral is no slouch, having represented Turkey [35 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/merih-demiral/leistungsdaten/spieler/340879) and made [12 Champions League appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/merih-demiral/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/340879).

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Therefore, this could be a sign that Botman is nearing a move to Tyneside, with Newcastle perhaps increasingly confident that they can get the deal done.

***In other news: [One pundit has been wowed by this Newcastle transfer news](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/tottenham-transfer-news-eriksen-man-utd-brentford/)***