According to what has been reported by Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, Lazio’s full-back/wing-back search has led them to Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian. Darmian, 28, has been at Manchester United for three years now, featuring 86 times in all competitions for the Red Devils.
However, Darmian has played just 9 Premier League games since the start of the 2017/18 season and has featured just once in all competitions for Manchester United in this campaign. Darmian was linked with a move away from Manchester United in the summer, with both Inter Milan and Juventus interested in signing him; yet there was too much distance between what United wanted and what the Italian clubs could afford.
Darmian’s contract with Manchester United expires in the summer of 2019 and therefore could be available on a cut price in January or for free in the summer. Man United have an option to automatically extend Darmian’s deal by a year yet this has not been activated yet and with January approaching, when foreign clubs can officially enter negotiations with players for free transfers, United are running out of time if they want to keep him.
Opinion by Sam Wilson
The proposed rumour that Darmian could be coming to Lazio is a welcome one. It doesn’t feel like too much of a stretch to think that this one could happen, although facing competition from the likes of Juve and Inter, if they choose to re-enter the race, could be difficult. The right-back would be a strong signing for the Biancocelesti, allowing the management to move on Dusan Basta, who has clearly come to the end of his Lazio career, and sign an Italian in his place to help with home-grown quota requirements.
As he is 28 and has played in both Premier League and Serie A, Darmian could also be an important tool to help Patric and Adam Marusic grow if they are to stay at the club if Darmian joins. The right-back could be a big signing for Lazio, especially if they are able to sign him for a discounted price in January or on a pre-contract ahead of next summer.
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