Manchester United are believed to be interested in Italian star Giovanni Di Lorenzo, as they want to add an experienced right-back to their squad this summer.
United’s squad is gradually coming together, with a new contract for Edinson Cavani and Jadon Sancho’s imminent arrival, which means they look good in the final third. However, that’s a different story further back, as they have no real competition for right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
He was a virtual gift for United last season, starting 34 times in the Premier League and playing all his European matches on his way to the Europa League final.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s departure in January meant that only younger Brandon Williams was available to cover. But rather than keep him, it seems as if United are sending him to Southampton on loan, competing for Wan-Bissaka from elsewhere.
The long-term goal has been Kieran Trippier, but negotiations with Atletico Madrid have not exactly been fruitful; they recently laughed at United’s opening bid and are believed to hold out for more than £ 20 million.
So where does that leave us? Well, at Wembley, where United scouts are reportedly on their way to see Di Lorenzo play against England.
Most tackles made by # ITA players in # EURO2020
◉ Giovanni Di Lorenzo (15) ◉ Marco Verratti (13) ◉ Jorginho (10) ◉ Manuel Locatelli (8) ◉ Rafael Toloi (4)
Only Oleksandr Zinchenko (16) has done more in the tournament than Di Lorenzo. pic.twitter.com/nPsCxVPrlq
– Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 9, 2021
The Napoli right-back has so far impressed with Euro 2020. While Alessandro Florenzi was Roberto Mancini’s favorite starter to begin with, Di Lorenzo has grown into the tournament and played every minute of their knockout matches.
The only game he did not take part in at any stage was the meeting with the dead rubber group with Wales, and it seems that interest in his signature is growing after a strong season in Naples.
It is reported by The Star that United see him as a viable alternative to Trippier and believe that negotiations with Napoli could be an easier task. A fee of 17 million pounds has been invested and at 27 years he looks like a better value for money than the Englishman.
One of the biggest keys behind Italy’s drive to the final has been Roberto Mancini replacing Alessandro Florenzi with Giovanni Di Lorenzo in the first match. Di Lorenzo struggled a bit against Jérémy Doku but he made a huge achievement today defensively as Italy’s “third CB.” pic.twitter.com/qmyUiAL2PI
– Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) July 6, 2021
Di Lorenzo has been something of a late blossom in his career. As recently as 2017, he played football in the third level with Matera Calcio, but a move to Empoli put him on Napoli’s radar and he signed for Partenopei ahead of the 2019/20 season.
He made his international debut for Italy shortly after and everything has been up there from there for the energetic hill, who looks dead certain to start against England at Wembley in the final of Euro 2020 on Sunday.
