Louis van Gaal is targeting Torino’s Matteo Darmian as the Manchester United manager bids to land a high-class right-back.
After missing out on Barcelona’s Dani Alves and deciding against Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne – despite him preferring United before signing for Liverpool – Van Gaal believes Darmian’s defensive qualities and international pedigree make him an ideal acquisition.
The 25-year-old started all of Italy’s group matches at last summer’s World Cup in Brazil and has a total of 13 caps for his country. A pacy and muscular defender, Darmian can also play at centre-back though it is the right-side of the rearguard where he has most impressed,
Urban Cairo, the Torino president, admitted Darmian could leave to seek Champions League football though claimed his future would have to be decided before the club’s summer training starts on Sunday. “Everyone who comes to the pre-season training camp will remain with us for the rest of the season,” he told La Stampa.
“Sunday will be the deadline.
Three offers have arrived for Darmian, but out of respect for the clubs who have made them, I won’t reveal who they are. Darmian is an extraordinary player who will want to try and win the Champions League one day.”
Last season Van Gaal played Antonio Valencia at right-back though the winger was an auxiliary option. The Dutchman, who is also interested in Everton’s Séamus Coleman for the position, does not believe Rafael da Silva, the most experienced right-back at the club, is of the requisite quality defensively.
Source: Vanguard
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