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The 19-year-old winger is playing under Fabregas at Serie A side Como this season.
Man United are set for a big transfer window, in which they will be keen to add a lot of talent to replace their current squad, which hasn’t been good enough this season.
They will be looking ahead to the summer transfer window as they aim to improve their squad with a couple of young superstars, one of which has been linked is from the Serie A.
Manchester United and Liverpool want Assane Diao
One position where United will be keen to improve is in attack, with a need for wide players who can create chances and use their pace on the wings to help the striker to score more goals.
According to new reports, the Red Devils have been linked with one such player as Caught Offside are reporting that United have an interest in Como winger Assane Diao, and that they have recently been scouting the 19-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window. Diao has made 31 appearances for Cesc Fabregas’ Como side this season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists. The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder rates the winger highly.
The report says that Diao has a contract at Como until 2029, after he signed in January 2025 for just £10m from La Liga side Real Betis, who are playing Man United loanee Antony in Diao’s vacant position. Liverpool are reportedly keeping an eye on Diao too as they consider long-term replacements for Mo Salah, whose contract is due to expire at Anfield in June. Newcastle are also said to be interested in the 19-year-old.
What did Cesc Fabregas say about Diao?
Fabregas took over the manager role at Como in July 2024 after spending time as the U19s manager and assistant manager at the club. He has since won seven game, lost 15 and drawn nine matches for the Serie A side. He rates Diao very highly and said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia in March: “He’s a complete player: he can play multiple roles up front, he has quality, and he can operate between the lines.
“The other day against Milan, he was up against one of the best full-backs of the last 10 years, [Kyle] Walker. He can make mistakes, but I never say anything about that. What I ask for is mentality and courage to play freely, and he guarantees that.”
When asked in January about why he signed the 19-year-old, Fabregas said in a post-match press conference: “Diao is a good player who had a great game. We followed and studied him at Betis. He’ll give us power and a good mentality. We want to bring in people with desire, hunger, and personality.”
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