LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Sadio Mane of Liverpool shoots while under pressure from Diogo Dalot of FC Porto and Diego Reyes of FC Porto during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool and FC Porto at Anfield on March 6, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Report: United to sign Porto defender Dalot after triggering release clause

8 years ago
Shaun Botterill / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Manchester United appears to be on the verge of adding to its defensive corps after triggering a €20-million (£17.4-million) release clause in the contract of FC Porto right-back Diogo Dalot, according to Jason Burt of The Telegraph.

The 19-year-old's arrival at Old Trafford is expected to be confirmed in the coming days after he already agreed to a contract with United.

Dalot, who has represented Portugal at the under-21 level, will compete for playing time with captain Antonio Valencia, who was essentially unrivalled at right-back last season.

Dalot's current contract was set to expire next summer and United was eager to procure his services, with Juventus, Napoli, Real Madrid, and Barcelona also reportedly interested.

The capture of Dalot is the first signing of what's expected to be a busy offseason as manager Jose Mourinho gets set to overhaul United's defence despite his side only allowing one more goal than Premier League champion Manchester City.

The Portuguese manager is also likely to pursue upgrades at left-back and centre-back. The likes of Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind are not expected to return to United.

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS
MORE STORIES