19-year-old Man United target ‘will be worth millions’, says Sporting Lisbon coach
Nineteen-year-old Sporting Lisbon wonder-kid Merih Demiral is a ‘fantastic talent’ who will be worth millions in the near future according to his coach Tiago Fernandes.
Fernandes was quoted by O Jogo as saying: “Merih is fast, has great concentration, is competitive, agressive and a drive to win. In short he is a fantastic player. He is already a leader in the defence and will be worth millions.”
See More: For Merih Demiral news and everything you want to know about Sporting Lisbon star
Sporting recently signed Demiral on a five-year deal from Portuguese minnows Alcanenense.
Demiral left Fenerbahce in a surprise decision last season for Alcanenense but feels he made the right decision.
The young defender has already been spotted by some of the biggest clubs across Europe.
Turkish-Football reported that Manchester United have been scouting Demiral and monitored his recent display for the U19 Turkish national team in their 2-1 victory over Portugal U21s.
“Fenerbahce play old Turks and sign foreign players, there is no place for young players I would have just rotted on the bench,” Demiral stated.
“I know it came as a surprise leaving for Alcanenense but I wanted to develop and felt the best place to progress and play regularly would be abroad.
“Now I’m at Sporting Lisbon, one of the best places for a young player to be.”
Turkish-Football recently reported that United have been scouting the 19-year-old and that they were joined by reigning Super Lig champions Besiktas in monitoring the young defender against Portugal U19s.
See More: For Besiktas news and everything you want to know about the club
Turkey, Portugal, Croatia and Poland are now all on three points after two games in Group 4.
Turkey are 3rd on goal difference in Group 4 in the in the UEFA U19 Championship – Elite Round.
The Crescent Stars will take on Croatia next on 28 March 2017. Demiral is expected to start in defence.
