Jorge Mendes has offered the services of Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot to Barcelona, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (today’s edition, page 2).
The Portugal international has been an undisputed starter for the Red Devils at right-back this season and he has played at least 45 minutes in every game under manager Erik ten Hag.
Despite this, the club have yet to open contract negotiations with the 23-year-old. Dalot recently hinted that he would wait until the conclusion of the World Cup before sorting his future.
It is now reported that the defender is an option endorsed by Mendes to Barcelona. Mendes is said to have a great relationship with current Blaugrana president Joan Laporta.
Dalot likely to commit future to Man Utd
Dalot is currently represented by Pro Eleven, an agency which Mendes does not own. However, Mendes could be acting as an intermediary as he has done with several transfers in the past.
Despite this, we don’t see the prospect of Dalot leaving the Red Devils. The former Porto ace has emerged as a guaranteed starter ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has played just four minutes this term.
Goal recently described him as an ‘undroppable‘ player and that is definitely the case at the moment with Ten Hag reluctant to rest the Portuguese. Dalot has missed just one half of first-team football.
Having transformed his career at Old Trafford, Dalot should commit his future for the long-term. His current contract expires in June 2023, but United have the option to extend for 12 months.
With a new deal, he could make the right-back position his own for years to come if he can perform like this season. He may not have the same assurance with the fierce competition at Barcelona.
Sergi Roberto, Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Hector Bellerin can all operate at right-back for Barcelona. If he struggles to adapt, he could quickly fall down the pecking order under Xavi.
United should open contract talks with Dalot towards the end of the year. The full-back could be set for a bumper wage rise as he is currently one of the lowest earners at £25,000-a-week.
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