Barcelona and Bayern Munich are reportedly both considering a move for Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian.
According to an exclusive report from Italian publication Calciomercato, interest in Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian has increased, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich both entering the race for the Italian international.
Matteo Darmian was one of the bargain buys of the summer of 2015 when Manchester United snapped him up from Torino. The player had a brilliant debut season in England but Jose Mourinho’s arrival has seen him play second fiddle to Antonio Valencia, with most of his appearances coming on the left side of the four-man defence.
Last match of #MUTOUR! Focused on next season’s start! @ManUtd ? pic.twitter.com/lmDC9gheDQ
— Matteo Darmian (@DarmianOfficial) August 3, 2017
However, the player became a regular of sorts by the end of the campaign under the Portuguese and managed to dole out 29 appearances in total. The Italian has received ample game time in the pre-season tour as well, suggesting that the player has won over his manager with his performances.
However, the 27-year-old is still being linked with a move away from the club, with Juventus and Inter Milan touted as the main contenders. But, their pursuit will now potentially run into troubled waters, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich both entering the fray.
Bayern Munich are short-staffed at right-back. Rafinha is the only recognised option at the position, with Joshua Kimmich being continuously played at varied positions across the playing eleven. At 27, Darmian will prove to be an option for the short-to-medium term while he could also be fielded at left-back and on either side of the midfield.
Barcelona, though, have also joined their fellow European elites in the pursuit of the 27-year-old, despite only recently signing Nelson Semedo for the position. But, the Catalans are also in need of further options at right-back, with Sergi Roberto set to be reinstated as a midfielder by new manager Ernesto Valverde.
It will be interesting to note that all the four clubs have been linked with Darmian at varied points of time since Mourinho’s arrival at Old Trafford. Darmian, though, is unlikely to be the first-choice right back at any of the aforementioned clubs.
Jose’s new Mr.Reliable ??
? | @DarmianOfficial pic.twitter.com/RVHrehKLV1
— United Snaps (@MufcSnaps) August 3, 2017
The 27-year-old still has two years left on his Manchester United deal, with the option of a one-year extension embedded in the contract. And with his career at Old Trafford taking a positive turn, the Italian is likely to not want to move to another club without being offered a first-choice role in the first-team setup.
Things may change though, if Manchester United manage to land Serge Aurier and the arrival of the Ivory Coast international might just see Darmian leave the club, despite the Italian stating that he is currently happy at the club.
