Manchester United Transfer News: Diogo Dalot Buyout Reportedly Met

Manchester United have reportedly met the £17.4 million buyout clause for FC Porto right-back Diogo Dalot.

MailOnline's Simon Jones reported the move, while also outlining the club's plan to sell Matteo Darmian to Juventus for £11.5 million to make room for the Portugal under-21 international.

United want cover and competition for regular starter Antonio Valencia. The search has led them to several names, "including Atletico Madrid's Sime Vrsaljko and Joao Cancelo at Valencia," according to Jones.

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However, the Red Devils may not find a deal so easy to swing. Portuguese source O Jogo (h/t Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness) has reported Porto want to keep Dalot beyond his current contract, which expires in 2019.

Staying with the Dragons is something the 19-year-old may be amenable to since Sposito said O Jogo described it is a "family dream" to play for Porto.

Sport Witness also cast doubt about whether United have actually officially met the young defender's buyout clause:

While he may be attracted by the idea of staying, Dalot has been gaining admirers thanks to his enterprising performances. The Daily Telegraph's Jason Burt has named Serie A duo Juventus and Napoli, as well as La Liga rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, as potentially keen parties.

If United have beaten that calibre of suitors to the player it will represent a coup for manager Jose Mourinho. He has strong connections to Porto, having guided the Dragons to the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2004.

Mourinho's current squad needs help at right-back, with Valencia now 33, while Darmian has struggled to impress his boss.

The former Torino ace has been heavily linked with a move to Juve, with La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t TalkSport.com) recently reporting he will sign a five-year contract to join the Bianconeri this summer.

Dalot could help fill the void while also offering a natural successor to Valencia, a player with whom he shares similar energy and attacking instincts.

Football commentator Kevin Hatchard gave his thoughts on Dalot:

Inexperience is a valid concern about a teenager who only made seven appearances this season. Yet United and others see potential for much more in him.