Man Utd transfer news: Barcelona ‘murmurings’ grow over £47.7m defender move

Barcelona are ‘privately optimistic’ of sealing a deal for a highly-rated Manchester United defender subsequent summer season, in keeping with a report.

A brand new centre-back is anticipated to be excessive on Hansi Flick’s agenda in the summertime switch window, when the Catalan membership may lose ex-Chelsea man Andreas Christensen on a free switch.

The Dane can also be presently sidelined with a critical ligament damage, which he may take one other three months to get better from, whereas Ronald Araujo not too long ago took day out to prioritise his psychological well being.

With out Christensen or Araujo, Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia are Flick’s solely out-and-out central defensive choices, though Jules Kounde can even fill in as a centre-half.

The return of Joao Cancelo on mortgage from Al-Hilal offers Flick higher scope to deploy Kounde centrally, however the Blaugrana will nonetheless pursue a brand new face in defence as a matter of precedence on the finish of the season.

Barcelona ‘optimistic’ of summer season switch for Man Utd’s Lisandro Martinez

In accordance with CaughtOffside, Barcelona have now registered their curiosity in signing Man Utd’s Lisandro Martinez, whose long-term future is the subject of accelerating uncertainty.

The World Cup winner is now within the final 18 months of his contract at Previous Trafford, and the report claims that there are ‘rising murmurings’ in regards to the prospect of an exit, both this summer season or on a free switch in 2027.

Man Utd are supposedly remaining calm about Martinez’s state of affairs, however they don’t seem to be at midnight about curiosity from Barcelona, who consider that the 28-year-old may very well be open to a swap to Camp Nou this summer season.

The Purple Devils have apparently slapped a £47.7m price ticket on Martinez’s head, however they may very well be pressured to cut back their calls for if it turns into clear that he won’t signal a brand new deal.

The South American didn’t play till November this season on account of a critical ACL damage, however he has now began eight Premier League video games on the bounce since making his restoration, carrying the captain’s armband in three of them.

Why Man Metropolis may gain advantage from Barcelona curiosity in Lisandro Martinez

© Imago / IMAGO / Information Photographs

Michael Carrick’s super affect will little doubt help Man Utd’s efforts to maintain maintain of Martinez, because the Purple Devils are actually within the driving seat for Champions League soccer by way of their Premier League place.

Nonetheless, the defender’s contract state of affairs is unimaginable to disregard, and if he’s seduced by the prospect of transferring to Camp Nou, Man Utd’s loss might be Manchester Metropolis’s achieve.

Residents centre-back Josko Gvardiol was supposedly earmarked as a high defensive goal for Barcelona in the direction of the top of final 12 months, amid fears that Pep Guardiola may step down on the finish of the season.

The Croatian has since sustained a critical leg damage that can maintain him out for months, however the 24-year-old should return stronger within the spring, and Barca’s curiosity in Martinez ought to take their consideration away from a extra unattainable goal.