Interest of big European clubs ‘slowing down’ Manchester United renewal talks – ‘Fear’ creeping in

Interest from Europe’s big clubs is slowing down Manchester United’s attempts to sign Diogo Dalot to a new contract at Old Trafford.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who say that although negotiations ‘were advanced’ the ‘interference’ from big clubs has jeopardised Manchester United’s efforts with the Portuguese full-back.

The newspaper explains that this interest, including from the likes of Barcelona, is ‘slowing down’ the negotiations between Dalot and United.

The latter exercised a unilateral options for one more season, until 2024, in December but were working to extend that by another five years.

There was an increased confidence that a deal would be agreed but the ‘meddling’ from some of the big teams in Europe, including Barcelona, has caused a delay in the two parties closing an agreement.

Indeed, Mundo’s Premier League sources say that Manchester United have ‘already called his agents’ in an attempt to speed up contacts that were ‘advanced’ but not finalised.

They ‘fear’ that the Portuguese defender could end up leaving in the summer transfer window in exchange for a ‘very affordable price’, taking advantage of the fact his contract will expire in a year’s time.

Barcelona are ‘attentive to everything’ and are keeping him on their list of potential targets as they look for a new long-term right-back for manager Xavi.

At the moment there is ‘no hurry’ at the Camp Nou as they are limited by the economic situation at the club but know that Dalot is a ‘market opportunity’ if he does not sign the contract renewal that Manchester United have been working on.