Manchester United are set to bid £39million for Atalanta defender Cristian Romero.
Atalanta are reportedly planning to make Romero’s loan from Juventus permanent for £21.5m before cashing in on his services.
But according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, Atalanta will take up an option in the 23-year-old’s loan deal to sign him permanently.
The fee is believed to be £21.5m – but some rumours suggest it could be as low as £13.75m.
Reports claim the Serie A side will then look to sell Romero for €45m – around £39m – and make a huge profit.
And Man United are said to be leading the race for the Argentina international’s signature.
Romero has been one of Atalanta’s best players this term, making 31 Serie A appearances to help them finish third and qualify for next season’s Champions League.
And he’s been recognised for his efforts – picking up the Italian league’s best defender award for the 2020-21 season.
After starting his career in his native Argentina, Romero signed for Italian side Genoa in July 2018.
The defender’s impressive performances in Serie A persuaded Juventus to sign him a year later, although he was immediately loaned back to Genoa for the 2019-20 season.
Romero was then sent to Atalanta on a two-year loan in September 2020 with an option to buy.
Man United are believed to want a new centre back this summer to partner skipper Harry Maguire – and have been linked with several defenders.
