AS Roma are reportedly eyeing a January move for Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot with Jose Mourinho keen to reunite with the 22-year-old Portuguese international.
According to the reports in Calciomercato, AS Roma are plotting a January transfer bid for Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot, with manager Jose Mourinho looking to bolster the full-back area.
Dalot signed for Manchester United in a deal worth £19.8 million back in 2018 from FC Porto. The right-back was regarded as among the most talented young prospects coming out of Portugal at the time and had a certain admirer in then Man United boss and fellow countryman Mourinho. However, since his departure, Dalot has failed to earn a starting spot at Old Trafford under his successor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
To date, the Portuguese defender has made 37 appearances for Manchester United, scoring once and assisting three goals. A loan spell at AC Milan last season was only marginally successful as he failed to establish himself as the first choice for the full-back role.
Dalot has since rejoined the United camp following the end of his loan term, but with Aaron Wan-Bissaka cemented as a first-choice starter, the Portuguese’s chances of regular playing time remain limited. The right-back has only played 53 minutes in the UEFA Champions League against Young Boys this campaign while also came on as a late sub versus Wolves in the Premier League.
He seemed to have grabbed a lot of interest this summer, with several clubs across Europe vying for his signature. He was linked with a possible loan return to Milan, but a deal never materialized between the clubs, while a late approach from Borussia Dortmund was blocked owing to United’s inability to secure Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier as a replacement.
Now it is Roma that have emerged as a prospective suitor for Dalot. The Giallorossi have made a bright start to their Serie A campaign, under Mourinho, who took over as manager only this summer. However, there is a feeling that they are a bit thin in the right-back area; Mourinho currently has Rick Karsdorp and Bryan Reynolds as the two right-backs available at his disposal.
While Karsdorp has established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, the ex-Chelsea boss isn’t sold on with the idea of Reynolds as the backup. Mourinho believes the 20-year-old American, who arrived only this summer, requires time to adjust to Italian football.
As a result, the Giallorossi intend to sign a new full-back in January, and Dalot, with his decent experience of playing in Serie A, makes him a strong contender for the capital club. The report has also gone on to claim that Roma’s recruitment board are ”studying the strategy” as they want to explore a loan move in January with an option to buy the defender.
Dalot’s existing deal expires in June 2023, with United also having the option to extend it for another year. It will be interesting to see how they would react if an offer comes around for the youngster in the winter transfer window.
