For Benfica’s on-loan midfielder Bryan Cristante : Manchester United set to bid £31m

The 22-year-old is spending the season on loan at Atalanta and has been one of the team’s key players this season with eight goals in 18 appearances. 

The Sun claim that United are already preparing for Marouane Fellaini’s exit next summer and Jose Mourinho wants Cristante as the Belgian’s replacement. Fellaini’s current deal with United expires next summer and he will be able to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Last week, reports in France claimed that Fellaini has already held talks with Paris Saint-Germain, and the Ligue 1 leaders are ready to offer him a four-year contract. 

Last month, it was reported that the 30-year-old has rejected United’s opening contract offer.

Mourinho has admitted he is concerned about Fellaini’s contract situation and is hopeful that United will be able to agree a new deal with the Belgian. Cristante, meanwhile, remains a Benfica player having joined them in 2014.

But the Italian midfielder, who came through AC Milan’s academy, failed to make an impact in Portugal and returned to Italy 16 months later when he joined Palermo on loan. 

Atalanta will keep Cristante on loan for the remainder of this season and have the option to buy him for £10m at the end of the campaign. Juventus, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are also keen on the 22-year-old but are not willing to meet Atalanta’s £31m valuation.