Roma are currently ahead of Inter in the race to sign Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Cristante enjoyed a spectacular 2017-18 season in Bergamo that saw him score 12 goals and produce 4 assists in all competitions, and has now had his initial loan deal turned into a permanent signing for €5 million.

Atalanta are unlikely to keep hold of the 23 year-old, however, as Cristante has plenty of suitors in Italy and would guarantee the club a healthy sum of money that they could then reinvest in the transfer market.

“The Percassi family’s asking price for Cristante is superior to €25 million,” the Milanese publication writes, “with Roma currently in pole position.

“Inter and Juventus are also interested, fully aware that Roma are following the player because they want to protect themselves in case either Lorenzo Pellegrini or Radja Nainggolan really were to leave this summer.”

Cristante currently has three caps for the Italian national team and featured as a second-half substitute in the Azzurri’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia on Monday.