Manchester United ‘will activate’ one-year contract extension for Barcelona target – report

Manchester United will activate the one-year extension embedded in the contract of Diogo Dalot, as they are wary of the interest from La Liga heavyweights Barcelona, reports ESPN.

Dalot has finally established himself as the first-choice right-back at Old Trafford after having had to bide his time since joining the club in 2018. The Portuguese international has been impressive this season for club and country and his performances have led to interest from Barcelona.

Even though the Blaugrana signed Hector Bellerin last summer, they will be in the market for another right-back in 2023. That is because both Bellerin and Sergi Roberto will be out of contract at the end of the season.

And as per recent reports, Dalot has emerged as the priority right-back target for the Catalan heavyweights. The 23-year-old is understood to fit the profile that manager Xavi Hernandez is looking for while his contract situation also makes him an enticing prospect.

Indeed, the former FC Porto starlet’s current contract with Manchester United stands to expire at the end of the ongoing campaign. And Barcelona are believed to have made contact with his entourage over a possible Bosman move next year.

And in order to avoid such a possibility, the Red Devils will now trigger the one-year unilateral contract extension option to secure his future at least until 2024.

It would mean that Barcelona will be unable to sign Dalot on a free transfer next year, although they could still make an attempt to land him for a reasonable fee, given that he will have only 12 months left on his contract.

It has been suggested that a fee of €25 million could be needed for Manchester United to sell the Portuguese international. Whether Barça would be willing to shell out that sum for the 23-year-old or look elsewhere remains to be seen.

For now, Manchester United will extend his contract by another year.