Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'readying £31m bid for Bryan Cristante'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 30 November 2017

A report claims that Manchester United are eyeing up a summer move for Bryan Cristante, who is on loan at Atalanta BC from Portuguese club Benfica.

Manchester United have targeted Atalanta BC midfielder Bryan Cristante as a £31m replacement for Marouane Fellaini, according to a report.

The Red Devils are expected to lose out-of-contract midfielder Fellaini in the summer after he turned down the offer of fresh terms at Old Trafford.

Cristante is said to have caught the eye of United boss Jose Mourinho, having impressed in his 13 Serie A appearances this term and also netted three of Atalanta's eight goals against Everton in the Europa League.

Italian club Atalanta have the option to buy the 22-year-old outright from Benfica, whom he joined on loan from earlier this year, and they could immediately cash in if United make a formal approach.

The Sun suggests that Mourinho would prefer Fellaini to stay and provide midfield cover, but he is already looking into the prospect of landing Cristante for triple the price Atalanta will pay for him.

United are also understood to have shown an interest in Dele Alli, who is valued at well over the £100m mark by Tottenham Hotspur.