Manchester United are understood to be in talks with teenage Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot, according to British media outlet, Sky Sports:
The 19-year-old Porto right back have forced his way into the team with the sort of consistency reserved for players far older and he’s obviously piqued the interest of the godfather of Portuguese football.
Dalot has only made a handful of appearances in the Porto first team but that may well be enough evidence for Manchester United to trigger his reported release clause of 20M Euros.
The right back has made his way through the youth ranks for Portugal and has now played 4 times for the U21s. If his current trajectory continues it surely won’t be long before he makes a full international appearance – particularly with such big question marks hanging over the Portuguese defence.
Manchester United captain Antonio Valencia will be 33 on August 4 and although he is one of the fitter players at the club, it makes a whole lot of sense to bring a youngster to the club to evolve into the position over time.
Valencia is a solid and hard-working athlete but it’s a long time since he was able to beat a man for pace or guile down his flank. With Manchester United usually adopting a pretty narrow formation under Jose Mourinho, a lot of the width has to come from full backs. Dalot looks like a player who loves to get forward and has excellent technique for one so young.
TFF felt that Fred would be the first signing of the summer but perhaps Dalot will pip him to that accolade.