CM: Dalot could reunite with Amorim at Milan as Man Utd deal winds down
Diogo Dalot has once again been linked with a potential return to AC Milan, where he spent the 2020-21 season on loan.
Calciomercato.com report that Roma’s visit to face Manchester United at Old Trafford will not only be an opportunity for the Giallorossi to face and perhaps erase the ghosts of the past, but also to watch someone up close who could be a name for the not-too-distant future: Diogo Dalot.
The Portuguese full-back’s contract is expiring at the end of next season and although he is happy in Manchester, many clubs are beginning to ask his entourage for details.
Serie A return an option for Dalot
Roma were one step away from landing the defender in the summer of 2021 when the Portuguese coach José Mourinho was on the bench. The negotiations dragged on for a long time, but in the end it didn’t go through.
The reason ended up being quite simple: the Red Devils never agreed to a loan with option to buy formula while Roma – who were still severely limited by Financial Fair Play limitations – could not offer anything more.
Dalot knows Italy and Serie A well, and he recently spoke about his loan experience with Milan in an interview with The Player’s Tribune.
“It was one of the most important years of my career. I remember the way the club welcomed me and how welcome I felt in a year that was important to me, one in which I needed to regain my confidence in my football. Milan helped me get back to those levels,” he said.
“Every day, Paolo Maldini was on the sidelines to watch us train. Rain, shine, or cold, he was always there, in a suit and tie. He would say to me: ‘Mark like this’ or ‘Tackle it.’ Other times, he would scold me for trying too hard. ‘You’re an extraordinary player, don’t worry, you’ll see, everything will be fine’.”
As mentioned, Dalot’s deal expires in 2028 but there is the presence of a one-year clause that United can trigger. There are a number of teams monitoring his situation including Inter, Milan and Juventus, who have all enquired in recent weeks.
Nothing concrete has emerged yet, as Dalot happy in Manchester and isn’t thinking about the future. However, if things don’t change, a departure – perhaps even for a low-cost fee – could become a realistic possibility.
With the Rossoneri needing defenders, could they try pounce on a reunion for a versatile player that they and Ruben Amorim know well?
