Jose Mourinho ‘is monitoring Manchester United full back Diogo Dalot ahead of a potential January move’ as the Roma manager looks to bolster his defensive options with his former player in top four bid
- Diogo Dalot has had limited chances at United and Roma are keeping tabs on him
- The Portuguese right back spent last season in Serie A on loan at A.C. Milan
- Jose Mourinho brought his compatriot to Old Trafford from Porto in 2018
- Roma want to strengthen defensive options to qualify for Champions League
Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in being reunited with Manchester United full back Diogo Dalot and could turn to his former club in January as he looks to bolster his defensive options.
The Portuguese signed his compatriot from Porto in the summer of 2018 and has identified the 22-year-old as one of the candidates to strengthen his Roma squad in the winter transfer window.
According to Sky Italia, Mourinho has made it clear to Roma’s hierarchy that investments will be required in January if the Giallorossi are to qualify for the Champions League this season.
Diogo Dalot has played just 83 minutes of Premier League football so far this season
After winning four of their first five league games of the season, Roma have picked up just two wins in the next seven games and went into the international break on the back of consecutive defeats against A.C. Milan and Venezia.
Sixth in the Serie A table three points adrift of fourth-placed Atalanta, Mourinho’s men are second in their Europa Conference League group despite suffering an embarrassing 6-1 defeat away against Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt.
More worryingly for Mourinho, Roma have conceded 15 goals in the last seven games in all competitions, keeping just one clean sheet in the process.
Roma boss Jose Mourinho is understood to be eager to sign Diogo Dalot in January
The Portuguese is understood to be frustrated with his side’s defensive frailties and has made signing a right back a priority in January.
Reports in Italy suggest Dalot has emerged as an ideal candidate for the role, largely as he wouldn’t need time to adapt to Serie A after spending last season on loan at A.C. Milan.
The former Porto defender racked up 33 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A giants last term, before returning to Old Trafford in the summer.
Dalot has been used very sporadically by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer so far this season
The Portuguese spent last season on loan at A.C. Milan, making 33 appearances
Last month, Italian outlet Il Romanista reported A.C. Milan had approached United to renew their loan for a second season in the summer, but were discouraged by an onerous £5 million (€6 million) fee.
Dalot’s opportunities at United this season, however, have been extremely limited as he’s largely been relegated to the role of Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s understudy.
The right back, whose contract expires in the summer of 2023, has made just two starts in all competitions so far and has played just 83 minutes of Premier League football.
