Fellaini Replacement: Manchester United Prepare £31m Bid For Italian Midfielder
Reuters/Carl Recine
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Bryan Cristante, and are weighing up the possibility of a move for the midfielder, according to reports.
Cristante is currently on loan at Atlanta in the Serie A from Portuguese side Benfica, and he is making a name for himself in Italy.
The 22-year-old has had an up and down start to his career so far, having impressed as a graduate of AC Milan’s academy, but failing to make the grade in Portugal after his big move, with poor form and unconvincing displays causing the club to send him out on loan.
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16 months on from his move to Benfica, the Italian was walking out the door to Palermo on loan, but he would only go on to make 4 appearances for the club. He then played for Pescara last season, turning out for the club on 16 occasions.
However, it is at Atlanta where he is really starting to impress, and has scored an impressive 8 goals in 24 appearances this term.
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Should Atlanta decide they want to keep him, they have been given the option to sign him for as little as £10 million at the end of the season. As for other interested parties, Benfica have slapped a £31 million price tag on him, and that may deter potential suitors.
Reuters / Andrew Yates
The fee being demanded appears to be too much for a player who has drifted in and out of form at different clubs, and it could be a risky move for any club attempting to buy him.
Jose Mourinho, though, appears to believe he can work well with the Italy international, and sees him as a potential replacement for Marouane Fellaini.
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The Belgian has been linked with a move away from United for quite a while now, and his departure seems closer to being finalized with every passing day.
He has been linked with a move to the Turkish League since the summer, but reports have suggested that Paris Saint-Germain are also eager to secure the 30-year-old’s services, and are ready to make a big four-year offer for the towering midfielder.
Therefore, Mourinho remains on the look-out for someone who could fill his place suitably. Being only 22 with an eye for goal, Cristante could be the perfect choice, provided he finds his form in England and doesn’t flop like he did in Portugal.
Manchester United fan, Wayne Rooney is his role model. Passionate writer who has written for several sites in the past. He’s also an aspiring pianist and creates background music for BlameFootball’s Youtube channel.