For every player Manchester United sign, there is a list of others who were written off and one £100m man written off for Bryan Mbeumo could make way to Ruben Amorim’s former rivals.
Manchester United quickly identified Matheus Cunha, Liam Delap, and Bryan Mbeumo as their three prime targets early in the window.
If all goes well, they could end with a haul of 2/3 which is pretty good in a market full of moving parts.
For it to go 2/3, however, Bryan Mbeumo needs to be signed, which means the transfer saga of the £100m target will be over, who is now being looked at as a target by FC Porto.
Diogo Dalot of Manchester United (right) and Tyler Dibling of Southampton FC during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Manchester United FC
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FC Porto exploring a deal for Tyler Dibling
Man Utd were linked to Tyler Dibling early in the season and his signing fit the template of what Ineos were going for.
He was young, full of potential, and had Premier League pedigree after impressing for Southampton despite a campaign that ended in relegation.
Jason Wilcox’s Southampton connects could have greased the wheels for a deal but all that optimism came to a screeching halt soon after.
Southampton’s asking price for Dibling started at £100m, a figure that was never going to be in United’s reach and as such, Bryan Mbeumo for about half that fee was a no-brainer move.
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Thus, United’s chase for Dibling was over, but that doesn’t mean the rumours around him are too.
Portuguese outlet Record reports that FC Porto are exploring a deal to sign Tyler Dibling. Needless to say, if United can’t afford a player, Porto are unlikely to be able to either.
The report states that a loan deal or swap deal is being looked at and it could benefit both parties in the long run.
Southampton wouldn’t want to risk Dibling’s value cratering in a Championship campaign while the player will get elite football elsewhere as Southampton strive to return to the top flight.
A loan deal would make the most sense, and Porto can negotiate a sell-on option for showcasing Dibling’s talents at the biggest stage in the Champions League instead of toiling away in the second division.
Whisper it quietly, but a loan deal for Dibling could also benefit United.
Dibling loan to Porto will help Man Utd
Man Utd are not in a position to go for Dibling anymore after splurging north of £100 million on Cunha and potentially Mbeumo.
However, Dibling not having his future settled this summer will play right into the club’s hands.
In an ideal world, United will return to European football in a much healthier financial situation after next season, and in that case, they can go for Dibling again.
In the meantime, Dibling will have proven (or failed to prove), whether he deserves to play at the biggest stage because United will have a season’s worth of games with Porto to dissect.
In addition, Dibling will be a further year into his contract, so Southampton, if they don’t get promoted, will be more open to a sale.
Ruben Amorim’s former rivals in Portugal could end up helping the Man Utd manager sign one of English football’s brightest talents if the stars align.