Italian giants try to hijack race for wonder-kid target, Man City remain favourites after week long talks

Serie A outft Roma became the latest side to enter the race for Basaksehir wonder kid Cengiz Under.

Italian outlet Tutto Mercato report that Roma are actually in pole position to the 19-year-old.

Per the source, the Giallorossi are closing in on a deal for the Turkish international.

A source close to the player has however, revealed to Turkish-Football that while Roma have expressed an interest, there is no offer on the table.

See More: Who is Cengiz Under?

Roma are not currently favourites to sign the rising star.

Manchester City lead the race but Manchester United have been keeping tabs on the youngster all season and have made enquiries.

City have made the highest bid – €8m – following extensive talks with Basaksehir last Thursday.

The 2016-17 runners-up are demanding €12 million for their star man.

The club will have to pay 30 percent of the fee to Altinordu who they signed him from on a €700K move last summer.

The Citizens have been negotiating a deal with the Istanbul minnows all week and are set to send club officials on a second trip to Istanbul over the next few days.

The Premier League giants have had recent success in the Turkish market, snapping up Enes Unal from Bursaspor before selling him on for a profit this window.

Roma did sign Salih Ucan from Fenerbahce in 2014 but his representatives feel he was poorly managed.

Under is represented by the same agents as Ucan and Enes Unal.

The management team were left impressed with the way in which City planned for Unal’s future.

The 20-year-old striker was transferred to Villarreal without playing a single game for the Citizens.

Unal was unable to play in England due to not having a work permit but City were still able to showcase his talent by loaning him to FC Twente and then getting him a high profile move to the La Liga – while including a buyback option in his contract.