Jose Mourinho will move to sign Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante in a £31m deal if Manchester United fail to keep hold of Marouane Fellaini beyond the end of the season, claims The Sun.
Fellaini’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season and the Belgium international has already rejected United’s offer of a new contract.
The 30-year-old will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign sides in January but United are still hopeful of convincing the midfielder to agree new terms.
However, Mourinho is already planning for life without one of his most trusted lieutenants and has earmarked rising Atalanta midfielder Cristante as a potential replacement.
The former AC Milan midfielder has made a real impression for Atalanta this season, establishing himself as a first-team regular. In fact, the 22-year-old has scored eight goals across 18 league and European appearances from central midfield.
