United have a ‘good chance’ of signing title-winning club captain who’s ‘pushing’ to leave this summer

Manchester United have reportedly added Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo to their transfer shortlist ahead of the summer window opening next month.

It’s no secret that reinforcements across the squad are necessary for the Red Devils this summer, particularly in the backline, which was the area most affected by this season’s debilitating injury crisis.

Given that the Premier League term ended with Casemiro having to deputise at centre-half, you’d expect that the position will be high in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s priorities.

However, with reports suggesting Aaron Wan-Bissaka is ready to embark on a new venture elsewhere, coverage may need to be acquired on the right side of defence.

Over the past nine months, both Diogo Dalot and the Englishman have had to take turns occupying either their usual role at right-back or covering for injury-plagued duo Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia at left-back.

Dalot is undoubtedly seen as Erik ten Hag’s preferred option on the right when all players are fit; he was awarded a five-year deal last May, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2028, while Wan-Bissaka had his one-year contract extension activated at the beginning of the year.

Read more: MUTV pundit reveals one Red pretended to warm up so he could ‘start songs’ with United fans towards end of final

United on high alert over Di Lorenzo’s availability

As such, should the former Crystal Palace star depart, United may look to target Napoli’s experienced skipper.

Di Lorenzo, 30, played an integral role throughout the side’s title-winning campaign in 2022/2023, which saw the Naples outfit finally put an end to their 33-year wait to lift the Scudetto.

He was also part of Roberto Mancini’s Euros-winning squad with the Azzurri in 2021 and has been provisionally called up by Luciano Spalletti to potentially feature in this year’s tournament, where Italy will look to defend their crown.

TeamTalk states that United have a ‘good chance’ of signing Di Lorenzo, who is ‘pushing’ to leave Napoli in the coming months. However, the Reds may face stern competition from Aston Villa, with Unai Emery keen to bolster his squad adequately as they prepare for the addition of European football to their schedule next season.