Championship promotion hopefuls Southampton are reportedly weighing up a loan deal for Manchester United winger Amad Diallo.
The Ivory Coast international excelled in the second tier with Sunderland in the 2022-23 season, netting 14 goals and providing four assists in all tournaments to help the Black Cats reach the playoffs.
Diallo was reintegrated into the Man United first-team squad under Erik ten Hag during pre-season, but he suffered a serious knee injury over the summer, ruling him out of the first half of the 2023-24 campaign.
The former Atalanta BC youngster belatedly made his first appearance of the season in the Red Devils' 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on December 30, but he has since missed fixtures with Wigan Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur through illness.
With Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford sitting above Diallo in the pecking order, another temporary exit could be on the cards for the 21-year-old, according to GIVEMESPORT.
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The report states that Southampton are in the market for wingers during the January window and are keen on a deal for Diallo, but they are facing stiff competition for his services.
Title favourites Leicester City are also said to be considering a swoop for Diallo, while Sunderland would welcome him back to the Stadium of Light for another short-term loan spell.
Nevertheless, Diallo would supposedly be open to spending the next six months with Russell Martin's side, although Leicester previously believed that they had a deal for the winger wrapped up.
Should Southampton fail in their attempts to lure Diallo away from Old Trafford, the report adds that the Saints have already identified an alternative in the shape of Bournemouth's David Brooks.
Diallo would likely be afforded more opportunities to showcase his talent in the second half of the season with Man United, though, having witnessed Jadon Sancho and Hannibal Mejbri depart on loan for Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla respectively.
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Man United paid Atalanta £18.4m for Diallo's services in the 2021 January window, and he has since played 10 times for the Red Devils, contributing one goal and one assist.
Prior to his successful Sunderland loan spell, Diallo temporarily left Man United to join Rangers for the latter stage of the 2021-22 season, reaching the Europa League final with the Scottish giants.
The winger's deal at Old Trafford only has another 18 months left to run, but Man United can trigger a one-year extension to keep him on the books until the summer of 2026.
Man United are back in action on January 28, when they will travel to National League Eastleigh or League Two Newport County for an FA Cup fourth-round tie.
Ben Knapton
