Man Utd Reach Out to Mino Raiola Over Potential Deal for Roma Starlet
By Tom Gott
Manchester United are interested in signing 18-year-old Roma left-back Riccardo Calafiori, who just so happens to be represented by Old Trafford favourite Mino Raiola.
United and Raiola found themselves locked in a public war of words earlier this year following Erling Haaland's decision to snub the Red Devils in favour of joining Borussia Dortmund, with each party accusing the other of being responsible for the breakdown in negotiations.
The Daily Star now report that United are ready to do business with Raiola once more, and they have already reached out to the agent to try and strike a deal for Calafiori, who was watched by scouts on a number of occasions this season.
Roma have already offered a bumper new contract to Calafiori, who is yet to make his senior debut but has been named as a substitute in both Serie A and the Europa League this season.
While they would prefer to see him remain at the club, Roma are said to be willing to sell for the right price, and they hope that United's interest will help spark a bidding war with fellow suitors Paris Saint-Germain.
United must be seriously interested in the Italian if they are willing to try rebuild their relationship with Raiola, who insisted at the end of 2019 that he would 'never take anyone' to Old Trafford. Raiola claimed United would 'ruin' Diego Maradona, Pelé and Paolo Maldini with their bad management.
A previous report from the same outlet claimed that United are hesitant to deal with Raiola, as they fear that every conversation they have with the agent will somehow end up featuring another of his clients, midfielder Paul Pogba.
With Real Madrid and Juventus sniffing around the Frenchman and Pogba keen to walk away from Old Trafford, United might want to steer clear of Raiola for a little while.