‘By far Mourinho’s favourite’ – Jose very keen on signing Manchester United player in January

AS Roma links with Diogo Dalot had gone a little quieter over the past week or so, with the fullback enjoying more game time with Manchester United.

He’s started the past three Premier League games and it would appear the 22-year-old has a reasonable chance of impressing Ralf Rangnick and therefore keeping Aaron Wan-Bissaka out of the team.

Even if he doesn’t manage to do that, then it’s unlikely Manchester United would allow a January exit, especially on the ridiculously cheap terms Roma wanted, given Dalot is a useful squad member.

Despite that, Forza Roma insist Jose Mourinho still wants Dalot: ‘Norwich’s Aarons, Leipzig’s Henrichs, Feyenoord’s Pedersen and Manchester United’s Dalot are in the running for the role of deputy to Karsdorp. The latter is by far Mourinho’s favourite, but for the moment there is no agreement with the Red Devils on the formula of the operation.’

That would also call into question Roma’s view of Dalot and how much he’d be tempted by a move anyway. If he’d be going just to provide cover and competition for Rick Karsdorp, then it doesn’t seem a very appealing opportunity.

Fighting for a place at Manchester United, a club still in the Champions League, is surely a better prospect than doing so at Roma, unless it’s made clear to Dalot he has no future at Old Trafford.