Skysport
Diogo Dalot is set to have a medical at Manchester United this week – but what do we know about the defender?
Jose Mourinho looks set to land Dalot after United agreed an undisclosed fee with Porto for the 19-year-old, according to Sky sources.
The right-back, who only made his Porto debut in February, is understood to have a €20m (£17.4m) release clause in his contract.
Dalot has been described as “a modern full back, with an appetite for attack” on Porto’s website – so should Antonio Valencia be fearing for his starting spot? And how has he fared in his first half-season?
He then opened the scoring in the final against Spain, and though Manchester City’s Brahim Diaz quickly equalised, Portugal lifted the trophy after winning 6-5 on penalties – Dalot among those successful from the spot.
Dalot has since featured four times for the U21 side, as they look to secure qualification for Euro 2019 in Italy.
Dalot’s U17 exploits with Portugal saw him start the 2016-17 season with Porto’s U19 side in the UEFA Youth League.
He also featured for Porto B three times, and started regularly for the reserve side – who play in Portugal’s second division, LigaPro – come the 2017-18 campaign.
Back in February, Dalot went on to make his first-team debut at the age of 18, coming off the bench in a 5-0 win over Rio Ave.
After another substitute appearance against Estoril, Dalot then started four consecutive games for Porto, recording two assists in the first of those against Portimonense.
“It’s a kid who has done an exceptional job in team B,” said manager Sergio Conceicao in February. “Dalot has very good behaviour, but it’s just a game. Success has nothing to do with one or another good performance, but rather give continuity and assert himself more at FC Porto. He has the quality to do so. He is a great player.”
This run also coincided with a Champions League appearance in the last-16 second-leg goalless draw at Liverpool, though the tie was already beyond Porto after a 5-0 first-leg loss.
It was another show of faith by Conceicao, and though Dalot picked up a knee injury towards the close of the campaign, he ended the season a league champion as Porto finished seven points ahead of nearest rivals Benfica.
Dalot’s versatility makes him an attractive prospect. He featured in a more advanced role on either the left or right of midfield when Porto B played three centre-backs, while he was deployed at left-back for all four of his starts with the first team.
This means his potential arrival at Old Trafford would pose a threat to Valencia and Ashley Young. Both will be 33 years old by the start of next season, so the idea of a prospering teenager arriving on the scene could well have the duo fearing that they are set to be phased out
Additionally, Valencia and Young’s current contracts are expiring in June 2019, so it appears Dalot could just be the start of Mourinho’s defensive regeneration.