Manchester United ‘lining up’ £39m move for Juventus defender Cristian Romero despite Atalanta deal

Manchester United are reportedly lining up a £39m move for Juventus defender Cristian Romero as they look to secure a centre-back this summer.

The Argentine defender shone on loan at Atalanta last season, making 42 appearances for the club as they finished third to secure Champions League football.

As a result of his impressive performances, Atalanta are expected to pay their obligation to buy fee of £21.5million to ensure the move is a permanent one, even though there is another year to go on his two-year loan deal at the club.

However, the opportunity to make a significant profit so quickly and sell the player could be an appealing one and as per Calciomercato.com, La Gazzetta dello Sport report Manchester United are keen to bring Romero to Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old would likely be brought in to partner Harry Maguire, and the positive relationship between United and Atalanta could help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s cause.

United signed Amad Diallo from the Italian side in January, with the teenager since making eight appearances.

The potential £39m bid for Romero will need to entice Atalanta, with the player chosen as Serie A’s defender of the season last campaign.

He earned a first call-up to the Argentina squad, making his international debut against Chile on Thursday in a 1-1 draw.

Speaking after the match, national manager Lionel Scaloni was full of praise for Romero’s performance.

‘Romero didn’t surprise us,’ Scaloni said. ‘I wasn’t wrong when I said that the national team has a great centre back.

‘We are happy, he played as if he had played 100 matches with the team. In the end, the best play in the national team.’

The centre-back will be hoping to keep forcing his way into the national set-up, and feature in the Copa America which gets underway later this month.