Man Utd eye minor profit by setting asking price for Barcelona target they would rather renew contract of

Diogo Dalot remains a potential target for Barcelona at right-back, which has prompted Manchester United to consider their asking price, according to reports.

Dalot is into the final year of his contract with Manchester United. He has been their first choice in his position this season. Indeed, Erik ten Hag has often preferred him to Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Therefore, it probably makes sense for Manchester United to try and keep Dalot for the long-term. They have the option to extend his contract until 2024, but it may be wiser to negotiate a longer agreement.

Indeed, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that Manchester United would only trigger the one-year option as a last resort. Their plan is to tie him down for a better contract than that.

For the time being, they are at risk of losing Dalot in 2023. Among his main suitors are Barcelona, who have identified the right-back position as one they want to strengthen.

Last season, they brought veteran Dani Alves back to the club before releasing him in the summer. This year, they adapted the department further, loaning out Sergino Dest to AC Milan and bringing in Hector Bellerin from Arsenal.

In 2023, there could be even more change. Barcelona are keeping an eye on Dalot, despite Manchester United’s preference of keeping him.

Aware of the links, though, Manchester United have – according to Diario Sport – decided how much they think Dalot is worth.

The report claims Manchester United would be looking to recoup a fee of around €25million (just under £22million) for Dalot. It would give them a small profit, since they originally signed him for €22million (less than £20million).

Manchester United need to try and keep Diogo Dalot

Whether Barcelona will offer them such an amount remains to be seen. But if they did, the decision makers at Manchester United would have something to consider.

They have been linked with making a signing in Dalot’s position themselves. Reports continue to suggest them as suitors for Inter Milan’s Dutch wing-back, Denzel Dumfries.

However, Wan-Bissaka’s future is unclear as well, so the club must work out whether or not they can change both options or if it would be better to keep one. And if keeping one is preferable, Dalot’s chances seem better than Wan-Bissaka’s.

Hence, Manchester United might be best off trying to stand firm over Dalot’s future. Time is ticking, though, so they will have to be wary of Barcelona’s interest.

And there could be other clubs taking a look at him too. The former AC Milan loanee still has admirers in Serie A, for example.

Patience has paid off for him at Manchester United, but only time will tell for how much longer he will remain among their ranks. They might need to act quickly in order to protect themselves from losing him.

Dalot, who is still only 23 years old, has played in 75 matches for the club so far. From those appearances, he has scored once and provided five assists.

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