Manchester United emerged as suitors for Bryan Cristante last month amid concerns Marouane Fellaini could leave.

Jose Mourinho has reportedly set his sights on the 22-year-old as a replacement for the Belgium international.

And Cristante has handed the Red Devils a major boost, admitting he wants to play in the Premier League.

“So many people tell me, ‘The Premier League is the perfect place for you’ and I agree with them,” he told Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport.

“It’s physical, there’s a lot of tackling and open football. I can really see myself there.

“The Premier League was a dream then [as a youth player] and it’s still a dream now.

“Just as I hope it will be a reality in the future, although I don’t know when. 

“Everything has its right moment.”

“It’s one thing being attracted to a spell abroad when you are 19 years old - such as when I went to Benfica and realised I had to start all over again.

“But it’s another when you are no longer a kid and have already made your mark.”

Cristante is currently on loan with Atalanta and the Serie A club are said to have a £10million first-refusal clause in his contract.

It is said they could activate it before selling him on for a huge profit to United for around £30m.