Manchester United face competition from Aston Villa for 30-year-old right-back as agent confirms transfer plan: Reports

Manchester United are interested in Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who is also on the radar of Aston Villa, as he looks to change clubs. The Italian right-back has decided to make a switch this summer after a poor season in Naples saw them finish 10th in Serie A.

Di Lorenzo was one of the stalwarts of Luciano Spalletti's title-winning side in 2022-23, starring for the Partenopei from right-back and lifting the Scudetto. The 30-year-old believes the time has come to make a change, as claimed by his agent in a recent interview.

"He doesn’t feel the confidence so yes, Di Lorenzo is ready to leave, we informed the club. The president [Aurelio] De Laurentiis is open to selling Giovanni in case of [a] good bid," Di Lorenzo's agent said (via TEAMtalk).

Manchester United are in the market for a new right-back as Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be on his way out of the club this summer. With just one year left on his contract and no extension in sight, the Red Devils may look to sell the former Crystal Palace man in the upcoming transfer window.

The Red Devils will look to sign a player to provide competition for Players' Player of the Year Diogo Dalot, who had an impressive season with the side. A player of Giovanni Di Lorenzo's stature and quality would be regarded as a quality addition to the side as they look to make their way back to the top of English football.

Erik ten Hag's side will face stern competition from Aston Villa, who are also interested in the experienced right-back (as per TEAMtalk). Unai Emery's side finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

Villa could use their Champions League qualification to tempt Di Lorenzo to join their side ahead of Manchester United, who will play in the Europa League.

Manchester United youngster seals move to Portugal

Manchester United left-back Alvaro Fernandez has completed a permanent switch to Portuguese giants Benfica. The 21-year-old secured a permanent move after impressing in just half a season on loan at the Estadio da Luz.

Fernandez shone on loan at Preston North End in 2022-23 but never featured in Erik ten Hag's plans this season. The former Real Madrid academy player moved to Granada on loan, where he spent the first half of the season before returning to Manchester. Ten Hag did not use him despite his side's evident left-back crisis, indicating that the youngster did not have a future at Old Trafford.

Benfica were impressed by the contributions of Fernandez in just half a season, as he made 16 appearances for the side as they finished second. The youngster will now look to kick on and make a name for himself in Portugal.