Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain could reportedly go head-to-head for the services of Inter Milan left-back Federico Dimarco when the transfer window reopens in January.
The 25-year-old has progressed from the Nerazzurri youth ranks to become an integral player for Simone Inzaghi, having been loaned out five times before his breakthrough.
Replacing Tottenham Hotspur-bound Ivan Perisic on the left-hand side, Dimarco ended the 2022-23 season with six goals and 10 assists from 50 games, setting up five goals in the Champions League and Serie A.
Thriving as a wing-back in Inzaghi's 3-5-2, Dimarco was named in the Champions League Team of the Season, as the Nerazzurri finished runners-up to Manchester City.
Dimarco also collected winners' medals in the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana - scoring in a 3-0 win over AC Milan in the latter - and he already has one goal and three assists to show from nine games this season.
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Since making his senior Italy debut last June, Dimarco has netted twice and provided one assist in 14 games for his country, scoring in their Nations League third-placed playoff win over the Netherlands this summer.
Back in December 2021, Dimarco penned a contract extension with the Nerazzurri until the summer of 2026, but his displays have naturally attracted glances from across Europe.
According to Calciomercato, both Man United and PSG have taken a liking to Dimarco, who is valued at €50m (£43.4m) by the Nerazzurri - a suitable price for both clubs.
However, Inter are hoping to ward off interest in their academy graduate with a new-and-improved contract, which would see Dimarco's wages rise from €2m (£1.7m) a year to €4m (£3.5m).
The report adds that Dimarco appears "destined" to continue in the blue and black strip for some time to come, but Man United and PSG should nevertheless test the club and player's resolve in 2024.
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Man United added to their left-back ranks in the summer by securing a loan deal for Tottenham Hotspur's Sergio Reguilon, while allowing Brandon Williams to join Ipswich Town in a temporary deal.
Reguilon arrived to provide cover and competition to Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, but all three players have spent time in the treatment room with various injuries in recent weeks, as has Lisandro Martinez, who previously played on the left for Ajax.
As a result, another summer loan signing - Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat - has been deployed in defence in three of his first five appearances for the club, but the ravaged Red Devils have now been handed a fresh injury concern with the Morocco international as well.
PSG boss Luis Enrique can empathise with Erik ten Hag over left-back shortages, as Nuno Mendes has been ruled out for the rest of 2023 with a severe hamstring injury.
The out-of-favour Layvin Kurzawa is now the only fit out-and-out left-back in Enrique's ranks, but his compatriot Lucas Hernandez has filled in during Mendes's absence.
Ben Knapton
