Barcelona will look to sign 23-year-old versatile Portuguese defender Tiago Djalo but will face stiff competition from Serie A clubs.

According to a report by Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Tiago Djalo is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The reigning La Liga champions are in the market for a centre-back heading into the 2024 summer transfer window. But they will face stiff competition from Serie A giants AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus for the 23-year-old versatile Lille defender.

Tiago Djalo is a native of Amadora in Portugal and began his youth career in his homeland by joining Metralhas. A short stint at Damaiense followed before he joined Sporting CP, where he spent half a decade. But the Portuguese defender graduated from the AC Milan Academy before breaking into the Italian club’s first-team squad in 2019.

However, Djalo’s stint with AC Milan ended that year, with LOSC Lille snapping him in a deal worth around €5 million. The 23-year-old has come leaps and bounds at the Ligue 1 club, making over 100 appearances while chipping in with three goals and two assists. But the French giants are in a spot of bother of the player’s long-term future.

The versatile defender, who can play as a centre-back and a full-back, is in the final year of his contract with Lille. The situation has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs. The report claims AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus are keen on signing him, with Barcelona also involved in the transfer tussle.

Djalo is not the only Lille defender on Barcelona’s radar, with Leny Yoro recently emerging as a target for them. As for Barcelona’s interest in the versatile Portuguese defender, he can be a long-term replacement for Marcos Alonso. The veteran defender faces an uncertain future at the Catalan club, although he does not want a January departure.

The 23-year-old can be the deputy right-back while competing with Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, and Ronald Araujo in the central defensive berths. But Barcelona will have to fend off stiff competition from AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus in the race to sign him.

Djalo’s impending free-agent status further makes him an appealing prospect for Barcelona and his other suitors. Meanwhile, Lille might want to keep hold of the versatile 23-year-old versatile Portuguese defender. It will be interesting to see where he plies his trade next season.