Inter leading Juventus in race for rising Serie A star

Inter are in pole position to sign highly rated Verona centre-back Marash Kumbulla, claims Gianluca Di Marzio.

Verona have been a surprise-package in Serie A this season and Kumbulla has played a key role in their push for European football next season.

Verona were promoted back to Italy's top-flight via the Serie B play-off and will resume the current campaign four points off the final Europa League qualification spot.

Following just his first top-flight campaign, Kumbulla looks set for European football next season regardless of where Verona finish this term.

The 20-year-old is firmly on the radar of both Inter and Juventus, with the former currently ahead of the Serie A leaders in the race for his signature.

With Diego Godin and Milan Skirinar heavily linked with a move away from Inter at the end of the season, Antonio Conte already has one eye on the future with Kumbulla in mind.

Kumbulla has started 18 of Verona's 25 league matches so far this season and statistics show the Italian-born Albania international should feature more often for Ivan Juric's side.

Verona have a win ratio of 44.4% in Serie A in 2019/20 when Kumbulla has started compared to just 14.3% when he has not featured from the off.