Revealed: 1.90m tall Man United target wants to play for ‘European giants’, Turkish league sides also in race

Sporting Lisbon wonder-kid Merih Demiral has revealed that he wants to stay in Europe.

Demiral underlined that his goal is to play for European giants and that he does not want to return to Turkey at this stage in his career.

See More: 19-year-old Man United target ‘will be worth millions’, says Sporting Lisbon coach

The 19-year-old told Turkish radio station Radyospor: “I have heard about interest from Besiktas and Galatasaray but to be honest I want to play here, I want to play for European giants and represent my country in the best way possible.”

Turkish-Football have reported that Demiral is a Man United target.

The Red Devils have been scouting the 19-year-old.

Turkish sports newspaper Fanatik meanwhile, reported yesterday that Manchester United had been joined by Besiktas and Galatasaray as joining the race for the 1.90m tall powerful defender.

The Turkish under-21 international revealed that he has also been learning Portuguese as well as English to further his career.

“I have settled in well and I it has been hard not knowing the language,” he added.

“I have been learning English and Portuguese, I now speak English and have basic Portuguese.

“The Sporting Lisbon academy is amazing and it is an honour to be here.” 

Demiral joined Alcanenense from Fenerbahce last season before being snapped up by Sporting Lisbon.

The young defender signed a five-year deal with the Portuguese giants and has attracted talent spotters from across Europe tracking his progress.

The former Fenerbahce man is rated as being one of the most promising defenders in Turkish football and is expected to be called up to the senior national team for the next round of games.