Galatasaray have pulled out of the race to sign Manchester City defender Jason Denayer according to sporting director Levent Nazifoglu.
Nazifoglu revealed that Denayer was being targeted as an alternative to current first-choice centre back Aurelian Chedjou as he was nearing an exit.
Chedjou has however, extended his contract with Galatasaray and will stay on this season. As a result the Lions are unlikely to pursue Denayer.
“We were seeking Denayer as a replacement for Chedjou but he will now stay with us and signed a new deal,” Nazifoglu was quoted as saying by Emre Sarigul.
“Denayer could end up being a luxury player if we sing him now but we are still interested.”
Arsenal have also been linked with the 21-year-old defender according to The Sun but City reportedly want £12 million for the young defender on a permanent deal.
Denayer has fallen down the pecking order at City and was not included in either the opening Premier League game against Bournemouth or the Champions League qualifier against Steau in Romania.
The Gunners are currently facing a defensive crisis with Per Mertesacker and Gabriel out injured and Koscielny currently unfit. All three defenders missed the first Premier League game of the season in the 4-3 defeat against Liverpool at the Emirates.
Follow Emre Sarigul @Turkish_Futbol