Barcelona are reportedly among a host of top European clubs keeping close tabs on Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot after his impressive start to the new season.
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has reportedly emerged as a potential transfer target for Barcelona. That’s according to the Manchester Evening News, which claims the Catalan giants are among a few big clubs that are keeping close tabs on the Portuguese international’s form and could go for him next summer.
The 23-year-old joined Manchester United from FC Porto in 2018. He enjoyed a promising debut season but was not the first name on the squad sheet, and was eventually sent out on loan to AC Milan in search of regular playing time.
After a fairly productive loan spell, he then returned last season and finally surpassed Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the club’s first-choice right-back following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He has impressed in particular this season under new boss Erik Ten Hag, as the Dutch manager’s new-look backline featuring Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, and Tyrell Malacia continues to be formidable.
Dalot also stood out for Portugal during the international break, scoring twice in last weekend’s 4-0 triumph against Czech Republic. Indeed, his stellar performances have caught the interest of several European giants like Barcelona, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, AS Roma, and Juventus, according to MEN.
His contract at Old Trafford technically expires next summer, with Barcelona eyeing his signature on a free transfer as they look to strengthen their options in the right-back slot, per Spanish outlet Fichajes.
The Blaugrana were keen to fix the problem on the right-hand side of their defence in the most recent transfer window. However, they failed to sign priority target Juan Foyth from Villarreal and were only able to sign Hector Bellerin from Arsenal on the deadline day of the transfer window.
Barça boss Xavi is currently facing an injury crisis at right-back, with Bellerin picking up an injury, and Sergi Roberto also sidelined, while makeshift right-backs Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo have picked up knocks during the international break.
Even so, only Bellerin is a natural full-back option among the quartet, after Sergino Dest left Camp Nou this summer to join AC Milan on a season-long loan. And it seems like Manchester United star Dalot is now currently at the top of their list of targets as Xavi seeks strength-in-depth in every area of the pitch.
However, going by the latest update from the MEN, the Red Devils hold a one-year extension clause present in the defender’s contract and are expected to activate it in the coming weeks, while the defender himself is expecting an improved long-term contract offer from United in the near future.
