According to Italian broadcaster Premium Sport, Atalanta are preparing to slam a £22million asking price on attacking midfielder and West Ham target Bryan Cristante once they sign him permanently from Benfica.
The Italian midfielder has been in excellent form since arriving on loan from the Portuguese giants, attracting the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli in the process.
Cristante, 22, has scored 6 Serie A and 3 Europa League goals this term and has been on the radar of the Hammers since last season.
West Ham can do with more goals coming from their midfield and some can come from the AC Milan youth product who recently earned a cap for his national team.
Cristante’s finishing and ability to split defences with through passes to his forwards are features the Hammers’ midfield can do with, but they will have to wait till next summer to land their man.
Atalanta are looking to keep the Italy international until the end of the season once they activate the £4.5million option to buy him permanently in the coming weeks, and West Ham are expected to face a lot of competition for Cristante’s services once he becomes available.
