Everton could help Manchester United sign Atletico Madrid right-back Kieran Trippier by beating AC Milan to a deal for long-time target Diogo Dalot, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Manchester United want to bring Trippier back to the Premier League two years after he completed a £20m move to Spain. But the Red Devils’ pursuit has gone cold as they wait for Milan to make a move to sign Dalot.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Old Trafford natives cannot finalise Trippier’s arrival until Dalot is no longer on their books. But while Milan want to see the Portuguese return to the San Siro after spending last season on loan in Italy, they are currently priced out of the market.
Manchester United are demanding a loan fee of €4-5m (£3.5-4m) plus the inclusion of an option to buy for Milan to sign Dalot on a second year-long loan deal. The Metro also noted in March that the Red Devils want £18m, but the Rossoneri offered closer to £12m.
Milan’s inability, or refusal, to pay Manchester United’s asking price risks Solskjaer missing out on signing Trippier this summer. But Everton could help their Premier League rivals by signing Dalot, as The Athletic report he remains on their shortlist.
Everton targeted Dalot in the last two summers, and the Liverpool Echo expected them to make another pursuit in March. The Blues Director of Football Marcel Brands agreed with Marco Silva and Carlo Ancelotti to target the Jose Mourinho signing.
But Manchester United pulled the plug on Everton’s deal at the 11th-hour last year before sending Dalot to Milan. The 22-year-old’s versatility, height and physicality particularly stood out to Ancelotti, who Romano claims now wants him at Real Madrid.
Everton can help Manchester United by signing Dalot
Romano adds that while Ancelotti likes Dalot, he is not an option for Real Madrid. Everton, then, could help Manchester United sign Trippier by beating Milan to Dalot. But the Red Devils may yet say no, having backed down last summer over fears of strengthening a rival.
Dalot would certainly still be an option worth Everton considering, however, as Brands maintains their search for Seamus Coleman’s successor. The £25,000-per-week dynamo would offer Rafa Benitez the depth and talent that Ancelotti felt he lacked in the role.
Milan boss Stefano Pioli also spoke highly of Dalot during the Manchester United full-back’s time at the San Siro. He said in April, via Milan News: “He is a winner because he trained at 105% instead of playing the victim [after being benched against Parma]. It’s a beautiful behaviour and a beautiful example for everyone.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
