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Topics: Manchester United, Diogo Dalot, Barcelona, Erik Ten Hag
Ryan Smart
Topics: Manchester United, Diogo Dalot, Barcelona, Erik Ten Hag
Barcelona are firm admirers of Man United right-back Diogo Dalot, according to reports.
Dalot has starred for United this season, starting all of the Red Devils' Premier League games.
The Portuguese defender was superb in the 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday, and was arguably the best player on the pitch as Erik ten Hag's side hung on to the three points under heavy late pressure.
Dalot has always been strong in the attacking phase, but has developed his defensive proficiency too. He has earned praise from Ten Hag on several occasions, most recently after the victory over the Hammers.
The Dutchman told Sky Sports: "I'm really happy with the development of Diogo.
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"In possession, he's really good. He has the breath to go up and down, so the development is really good."
After signing Dalot from Porto in 2019, then-United boss Jose Mourinho stated his belief that the club had found a right-back 'for the next 10 years'.
It has taken him time for Dalot to fully establish himself at Old Trafford, but it appears that another Mourinho prophecy is coming true.
There is one hurdle to jump over, however - Dalot's existing United contract.
The Portuguese defender has a deal at Old Trafford that runs until this summer, and the Red Devils are yet to renew it.
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That has prompted interest in his services from all over the world, with Juventus, Real Madrid and former loan club AC Milan all reportedly keeping tabs on the player.
But United do have the option to extend the 23-year-old's contract by a year - giving them valuable time to negotiate a new one.
However, according to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, Barcelona are 'firm admirers' of Dalot. And the Spanish giants need a right-back, with Hector Bellerin and Jules Kounde the options to play there.
But Kounde is a natural centre-back, and Bellerin has had injury problems in the past. That could mean Barcelona test United's resolve with a bid for Dalot, or even sign a pre-contract agreement with the player in January.
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That would, however, mean that United were not able to negotiate a new contract before that date. That is something Ten Hag and his side will be desperate to do.
This task has been made harder by reports via Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo on Tuesday. They claim that agent Jorge Mendes, has offered the 23-year-old to Barcelona - meaning a player recently described as 'undroppable' by the MEN might well leave United needing to replace him.