Juventus want Premier League defender to replace Lichtsteiner

Juventus are interested in handing Manchester United outcast Matteo Darmian a route back to Italy at the end of the season, reports Goal.com.

Darmian has fallen completely out of favour under Jose Mourinho and looks destined to leave in the summer.

The Italy international has failed to make any significant impression since joining United from Torino in a deal worth £13m in 2015.

Juventus want to sign a new right-back at the end of the season to replace veteran Stephan Lichtsteiner and have earmarked Darmian as a top target.

Lichtsteiner’s current contract is due to expire at the end of the season and the Swiss defender has struggled to nail down regular playing time in the last two years.

Darmian has only made 11 appearances in all competitions this season and could only manage a place on the bench in United’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield in the FA Cup last weekend.

Under Mourinho, United have a far superior win ratio in the Premier League when Darmian has not started (58.3%) compared to when he has featured from the off (41.2%).