Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot has insisted he ‘always wanted’ to move to AC Milan this summer, despite interest from Everton.
The United full-back joined the Serie A side on a season-long loan deal at the end of the transfer window after it was made clear there was no place for him at Old Trafford this season.
The Serie A side were not the only club interested in his signature, with Everton also believed to have been keen on a deal.
The Toffees had wanted a new right-back this summer to provide competition for captain Seamus Coleman, with doubts remaining about Jonjoe Kenny, who has returned following a loan spell with Schalke.
Dalot was one of several names reportedly on their list, although a move ultimately never happened despite claims Everton were willing to pay big on a future purchase clause.
But even if Manchester United had sanctioned a deal, it seems they may have had a difficult time convincing the full-back to move to Goodison.
“When I signed I wanted to achieve important goals with Milan, my head is 100% in Milan now,” Milan Live report him saying.
“When I heard that Milan were looking for me, I was happy. I was a bit anxious about the final decision. Then I felt satisfied. I always wanted to come here.”
The focus for Dalot is now on improvement, with him likely to be afforded plenty of playing time during his year in Italy.
The right-back has found it hard to impress at Old Trafford, with United even spending big on competition in the form of Aaron Wan Bissaka last summer.
However, Manchester United’s determination to resist losing him long-term indicates they still believe there is a place for him in future.
That remains to be seen, but the 21-year-old is determined to get as much as possible from his time away.
“When you play for an important club, you bring a lot of experience to the next team as well,” Milan Live report him saying.
“I learned important things in the Premier League, and I hope to bring them to Milan.
“When you know you need to improve in some aspects, you definitely have to make progress. I have to work on defence and also improve in attack; I’m in the best place to do it.
“I want to keep this approach. When you join a team like this, it’s easy to be part of it because there’s the right mindset.
“I have to keep working; I’m in the place to improve and to progress. I hope to become a more complete player at Milan.”
