With Bahrain-Merida desperate for UCI points to secure WorldTour status for 2017, they have already signed Niccolo Bonifazio, breaking the riders contract with Trek-Segafredo one year early. It appears they will do so again to secure Ion Izagirre from Movistar, Cyclingnews have reported.

Izagirre sits 11th in the WorldTour ranking following a string of top performances in stage races, as well as stage wins in the Tour de France, Tour de Suisse and Tour de Romandie.

Izagirre hopes to be allowed to compete in stage races at Bahrain, something he was slightly limited in at Movistar due to the presence of Nairo Quintana, winner of the Vuelta, Catalunya and Romandie this season.

Bahrain Merida’s management could not be reached by Cyclingnews, while Izagirre’s agent Giuseppe Acquadro would not confirm or deny the move.