Manchester United are in talks with Valencia and two other unnamed Serie A sides over the possible sale of Matteo Darmian, according to ESPN FC.
The 29-year-old right-back signed from Torino in 2015 for £16.2million and has made 92 appearances for United.
However, he fell down the pecking order after his first season under Louis Van Gaal and has made it clear that he would like to leave this summer.
The Italian international made just six Premier League appearances last season, most of which came from the bench.
Darmian is under contract until next summer, after United triggered a one-year extension in January, but it is expected that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will allow him to leave, with Ashley Young, Diego Dalot and Luke Shaw at his disposal with Aaron Wan-Bissaka also possibly waiting in the wings.
Good move for United?
This would be a good time for United to cash in on Darmian with one year left on his contract. It makes sense to sell the player as it would free up some extra funds for what looks to be the imminent arrival of Crystal Palace’s highly sought after young right-back Wan-Bissaka. It would also reduce United’s wage bill significantly. Darmian was keen to return to Italy with Juventus last summer, but they could not agree on a fee. And with two unnamed Serie A sides interested, it could be that Juventus are interested once again.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
With United chasing Wan-Bissaka, this transfer looks extremely likely to happen. With Shaw, Young, Dalot and possibly Wan-Bissaka United would have five right-backs in their squad. Darmian was out of favour last season and with three other replacements already in the squad and possibly another on the way, he seems almost certain to be surplus to requirements. This will be the last window they can get a decent fee for him and they’d be more than happy if they end up washing their face with the player.
9/10