Ivan Santaromita seems to be getting closer to signing a contract Astana. The former Italian teammate has revealed that he wants to join forces with Vincenzo Nibali with whom he has trained a lot.

The 31-year-old former raced with the Italian for several years at Liquigas, sharing room with the Shark of Messina during the winning ride at the 2010 Vuelta a Espana.

"Vincenzo told me clearly that he would like me to join him. There has always been mutual respect between us," Santaromita told La Provincia di Varese. "That doesn't mean that there is a deal​​. But I can not deny that there are real possibilities: until there is certainty, I will not say anything."