Manchester United have joined Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the race for on-loan Atalanta defender Merih Demiral, according to a report.

The 24-year-old has already enjoyed spells across Europe before settling in Italy. After the Turkey international’s initial progress at Fenerbahce, he moved to Portugal. Demiral then signed for Sassuolo in June 2019 but immediately moved on to Juventus.

Injury problems held him back in his first season in Turin and he again spent parts of last term on the bench. As a result, he moved across Italy again last summer, to Atalanta.

He has impressed in Bergamo and Atalanta have a £24million option to buy clause in the loan deal. And according to Fanatik, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side intend to pay that sum.

If Atalanta sign him permanently with a view to selling him for more money, Man Utd would now do well to pounce for Demiral, with the Turkey international likely to be an upgrade on the out-of-form Harry Maguire in what is clearly an area of weakness in this Red Devils squad.

Demiral looks like he could be a good fit at United, but it remains to be seen if he’d chose them over either of the Madrid clubs.

Atletico just knocked United out of the Champions League, while Real remain favourites to win La Liga this season, so these would probably be more tempting destinations than Old Trafford.