Nottingham Forest make approach for Atalanta’s Merih Demiral and are willing to pay £17m, but Turkish international could need convincing to join Steve Cooper’s side

Nottingham Forest have made an approach for Atalanta defender Merih Demiral.

The 25-year old Turkey international is available this summer as Atalanta re-shape their squad.

They are willing to offer around £17million for Demiral but may face a task convincing him to join.

Demiral has been a target for other Premier League sides in the past and has received offers from his native Turkey this summer but has preferred to remain Serie A amid rumoured interest from Inter Milan.

Forest are keen to strengthen their centre back options as well as add a left-back and midfielder before the window closes.

They expect to close a £7million deal for Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner this week after he underwent a medical on Monday.

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Jamie Carragher has told Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper how he thinks the team should play in order to climb up the Premier League table.

Forest finished 16th in their first season back in the top flight, and will now be looking to take things up a level in their second campaign. The key to doing that, Carragher believes, could be held by striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

He has explained how Forest have the tools to play a team that no player would fancy coming up against, even though Cooper perhaps wants to introduce a more pleasing brand of football to his squad.

Carragher told Sky Sports: “I think watching them last season, they came into the Premier League – I know Steve Cooper from his time at Liverpool and he wants to play a certain way, but they found a way of winning with five at the back, playing counter attack and the lad up front, Awoniyi, there’s a way of playing with a powerful team.

“They had the five at the back, the power and the big lad up front. As a player you’d think I’m not sure I want to play against that.

“When they came into the league, it was a team you thought you could get after and bully them. It felt like he fell on a system with those players and that home record that makes them a tough nut to crack. They should stick with the way they played at the end of season.”