The transfer window will look like a full-circle moment for Manchester United soon if their latest transfer target is any indication.
In the January window, Manchester United made two big moves – signing Patrick Dorgu to address the gaping left wing-back hole and sending Antony to Real Betis on loan.
Dorgu signed from Lecce in Serie A and has immediately thrilled fans with his potential, while Antony is flying at Real Betis.
In this whole cycle, a teenage forward was replaced by Antony and went to Serie A, and now Man Utd want to repeat the Dorgu trick to sign him.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Man Utd target teenage forward replaced by Antony
It was revealed after the move that Antony’s wages weren’t as high as initially reported, with Real Betis covering around 84% of his wages just over £100k/week.
Still, a “low” wage at Man Utd and a low wage at Real Betis are two very different-looking numbers, which is why Betis had to make some moves of their own.
To make way for Antony, Betis sold their own exciting right-winger, 19-year-old Assane Diao to Serie A side Como in a deal worth £10.6 million.
Diao never got an extended run in Spain but has flown off the blocks under Cesc Fabregas at Como, scoring five goals already in 12 appearances.
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According to transfer insider Nicolo Schira, United sent scouts to watch Diao in Como’s game against Empoli which finished 1-1.
They received a glowing verdict of the player, with manager Fabregas saying that Diao was the “only player I liked” who “tried to do something”.
Assane Diao can be Ruben Amorim’s wing-back option
Diao is a winger in the traditional mold who likes to run to the byline and get crosses in from his stronger right foot.
He has an engine for days and in Dorgu, United already have a glowing verdict of buying a physically intense youngster who’s impressed in Italy.
With Geovany Quanda heading to Chelsea, United might be looking elsewhere for right-wing-back options and targeting a different profile.
Amorim wants his wing-backs to be attack-minded so buying a traditional winger and coaching him in defence is the ideal way to go about it.
At 19, Diao is eminently coachable and the way he’s quickly settled into a team struggling to score many goals speaks volumes about his mentality and potential.
This is one to watch over the summer because, much like Dorgu, it can develop quite quickly. Antony’s Betis move is coming full circle for Man Utd.