Diogo Dalot's Options if he Leaves Man Utd & Whether They Should Let Him Go
By Adam Aladay
Manchester United's Diogo Dalot is being linked with a move away from Old Trafford, and it is said the club have placed a price tag of between €35m-40m on his head.
The Portuguese joined United from Porto in the summer of 2018 for around £19m and at the time of signing, then-Red Devils boss José Mourinho described him as the 'best' full-back in Europe in his age group.
However, Dalot has struggled with injuries since arriving at the club, making just 33 appearances in all competitions for the Old Trafford side. This season, he has managed to start just one league game - the 1-0 defeat away at Newcastle.
With the versatile player struggling to make an impact this term, reports have now surfaced, claiming he could be heading out the door when the transfer window opens.
So, we at 90min have decided to delve a little deeper into these reports, before deciding whether the Red Devils should consider offloading him.
Growing Interest in Dalot
Portuguese publication O Jogo (via the ever-reliable Sport Witness) report that Man Utd are ready to part ways with Dalot, but are holding out for somewhere between €35m and €40m for his services.
For a player that has struggled for game time since his move, this may seem like a rather high valuation, but the 21-year-old does still have three years to run on his current deal. It is claimed that as a result of the arrival and fine performances of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, United find 'no sense' in keeping hold of Dalot.
Moreover, the report adds that the youngster could have left the club on loan in January, but instead, it now appears as though he will depart permanently when the transfer window next opens. French giants Paris Saint-Germain are said to be 'very attentive to the situation' and do not see his valuation as a problem. PSG are on the lookout for a new right-back with Thomas Meunier set to depart the club when his deal expires in the summer.
Elsewhere, Dean Jones of Bleacher Report states that Tottenham also hold an interest in Dalot -although the cost of a potential deal may prove too expensive for the north Londoners.
Sport (via Sport Witness) also state that Barcelona are keen on the player, and have 'excellent reports' from his time at Porto. Dalot is on the Catalan giants' shortlist and they could be set to test United's resolve with a bid. The La Liga outfit believe the fee 'should not be too high' for him.
Possible Benefits of Selling Dalot
It appears as though there are some legs to this story, with PSG in need of defensive reinforcements, while Tottenham boss José Mourinho was the man to bring his fellow countryman to Old Trafford in the first place. As for Barça, Nelson Semedo has been linked with a move away recently, and Dalot could potentially be a reasonable alternative.
Of course, one positive of United allowing Dalot to leave is money. With the current coronavirus crisis, it has been reported that United are among the three Premier League clubs to be considering scaling back their summer transfer plans. A source has told 90min that Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish are the Red Devils' top priority signings for the next window, but of course, this won't come cheap. Therefore, the sale of Dalot could aid the club in this respect.
Furthermore, with speculation surrounding his future increasing, the role of Ethan Laird has been spoken about. Should Dalot depart the club, this could be another possible benefit as it will give the latest talented youngster in the academy the chance to shine. The 18-year-old has already made his senior debut for the Red Devils and is very highly regarded.
Elsewhere, the injuries Dalot has sustained are certainly a concern, and United may be growing uneasy.
Drawbacks of Selling Dalot
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is undoubtedly the club's first-choice right back, with the Englishman shining this season for United. His performances have kept Dalot out of the team when fit and as the reports suggest, the club could be ready to offload the Portuguese because the position is already filled.
However, not only is competition an integral part of a successful team, the pair are also very different types of players. Dalot is an exceptionally talented attacking player, with his quick feet and outstanding crossing ability. Wan-Bissaka, meanwhile, is a defensive wall, snapping into challenges and nullifying any threat before its arisen.
The pair could learn a lot from each other, helping each other to improve their game. Equally, it isn't a case of 'one or the other' as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been keen to use a 3-5-2 formation at times - and Dalot and Wan-Bissaka could be very effective playing together in this style.
As for the role of Laird, he can still be eased into the first-team set-up, but aged just 18, he shouldn't be thrust straight in if Dalot were to be sold. Moreover, it's important to remember that Dalot only just turned 21, and just how much potential he has.
Whether Man Utd Should Look to Keep or Offload Him
It seems premature and unnecessary for Man Utd to offload Dalot - even if a substantial offer comes in. He's got all the required attributes to become a world-class talent, and he's proven when fit just how effective he can be.
Pace, power, tenacity and an end product as well, Dalot can be a nightmare to play against. Moreover, his versatility is key, with the player able to slot in at right-back, left-back and on the wing.
Equally, Dalot is a key member within the squad, and he's especially good friends with new arrival Bruno Fernandes - helping him to settle in and driving him to training most days.
Sure, United should be concerned by his injury record, but there is simply no reason to sell such a promising talent. At just 21, time is very much on his side.
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