Man Utd transfer news: Bid to be made for Ten Hag favourite, as potential trump card materialises
Manchester United are set to receive a bid for full-back Diogo Dalot next summer, and the interested club reportedly has an ace card up their sleeve.
Dalot has become a reliable player under Erik ten Hag, making the right-back spot his own ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The Portuguese has played in all eight of Manchester United’s matches this season.
Wan-Bissaka, in contrast, has only featured once under Ten Hag. And even that was a short substitute appearance against Liverpool on August 22.
Ten Hag prefers Dalot to Wan-Bissaka as he offers more going forward. The Englishman, meanwhile, could end up leaving Old Trafford next year to receive more game time.
Reports put his former club Crystal Palace on his trail. West Ham are also keeping tabs on Wan-Bissaka’s situation and might submit an offer if he is made available for transfer.
However, the 24-year-old isn’t the only defender who is picking up interest. Dalot’s impressive performances have made him a target for some big clubs in Europe.
According to recent reports in Spain, Dalot is at the top of Xavi’s wish list at Barcelona. And now Sport Witness, who cite Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, claim Roma will make a bid for him next summer.
Jose Mourinho’s side have previously been linked with the player and it seems they are back in the mix for his signing.
Mourinho can already rely on Zeki Celik on the right side of defence, following his summer move to Roma from Lille.
Mourinho gunning for Diogo Dalot signing
But it seems the manager is already trying to replace Celik and believes capturing Dalot is the best solution.
Roma have a trump card in the form of Mourinho, too. Club chiefs think the player will want to reunite with Mourinho, after they previously worked together at Manchester United. And Roma plan to use this to their advantage.
The report reveals that Dalot’s future largely depends on Ten Hag. If the Dutchman views Dalot as his long-term right-back, then United will push back all Roma proposals for him.
But if Ten Hag hopes to bring in replacements for both Dalot and Wan-Bissaka, then the former may end up joining Roma.
Another big factor to consider is Dalot’s contract situation. His current deal expires at the end of the campaign, putting his future in doubt.
United have the option to extend his terms by 12 months. By doing this they could prevent a free-transfer exit and keep Roma off him.
It is now up to Ten Hag to make a decision on his right-backs and whether he wants the club to extend Dalot’s spell in Manchester.
The 23-year-old isn’t the only player who might end up leaving United next year. Goalkeeper David de Gea is also coming towards the end of his contract and Atletico Madrid are planning to re-sign him.
To replace De Gea in goal, United are looking at a world-class La Liga shot-stopper.
