Who Is Manchester United Target Matteo Darmian?

We profile Matteo Darmian - the Torino full-back whom Manchester United are understood have agreed a £12.7m fee for.

What’s the latest on his future?

Sky Italia sources have reported that Manchester United have agreed a fee with Torino for the Italian international right-back.

Talks between the clubs have been ongoing and, after rejecting United's first two bids, Torino have agreed to sell their prized defender for a fee of just under £13m.

Torino finished ninth in Serie A last season and Urban Cairo, the Torino president, has admitted Darmian will be tough to keep hold of after another impressive season. Champions League football is reportedly a big attraction for the player with Cairo setting a deadline of July 12 (when the squad return to training) for a potential deal for Darmian to be done.

“Everyone who comes to the pre-season training camp will remain with us for the rest of the season,” he told La Stampa.

“Sunday (July 12) will be the deadline. Three offers have arrived for Darmian, but out of respect for the clubs who have made them, I won’t reveal who they are. Darmian is an extraordinary player who will want to try and win the Champions League one day.”

Sky Italia understand United are one of those clubs that have made the offer.

Manager Louis van Gaal has made a right-back one of his priorities this season and after failing to secure a deal for Barcelona man Dani Alves, the Italian is now United’s number one priority in that position, particularly now that Rafael has been attracting interest.

What’s his background?

After progressing through the youth system at AC Milan, the talented full-back failed to break into the first team and was snapped up by Palermo in a co-ownership deal with Milan after a fruitful loan spell at Serie B club Padova.

However, injuries restricted his progress at Palermo - he finished the 2010/2011 season having made just 16 appearances - before being loaned out to Torino at the start of next season, where his career really started to take off.

He made the right-back spot his own that season, which triggered Torino to stump up £500,000 to acquire his services from Palmero and Milan.

In the 2013/14 season he played 37 games in Serie A for Torino and made the league’s team of the season before playing a huge part in the club’s historic run to the last 16 of the Europa League last season, where they were knocked out narrowly by Zenit.

Darmian may ring a bell with English football fans from the 2014 World Cup, where he played in all of Italy’s games as they bowed out in the group stages. He was one of the few shining lights in that tournament for the Italians, playing a key role in the 2-1 victory over England in the opening match.

He took advantage of England's part-time left-winger Danny Welbeck’s lack of defensive know-how to put pressure on full-back Leighton Baines and it was from the right flank where the crucial winning goal – scored by Mario Balotelli – came from. He has won 13 caps for Italy.

What are his strengths?

His progression from the days when AC Milan deemed him not good enough has been quite remarkable.

Darmian's positional awareness at full-back along with his ability to get up and down the line at pace make him a tough nut to crack for opposition wingers. He can also play as a centre-back when required.

It’s this explosive pace that has alerted some of the big clubs from around Europe as Darmian can provide width going forwards.

Van Gaal is a big believer in this tactic and Darmian would certainly add another dimension to the United attack – something which was missing last season through makeshift full-back Antonio Valencia, whose defensive attributes were targeted by opposition attackers last season.

Darmian on the right and a fully-fit Luke Shaw on the left would be an exciting proposition for United fans.

Credit: Skysports.com