Barcelona target deal to sign Man Utd star on free transfer with deal to wreck Leeds plan over back-up

Barcelona are reportedly putting the wheels in motions to snare Luke Shaw from Manchester United amid surprise claims he could move as a free agent.

The 27-year-old full-back is back to his best this season after what has been a rollercoaster eight-year spell at Old Trafford. Signing in a £27m deal from Southampton in summer 2014, Shaw is now in his ninth season with United.

Part of England’s squad that is due to take on France in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday evening, Shaw has made 228 appearances for the club.

After initially seeing summer signing Tyrell Malacia start the season at left-back, Shaw has reclaimed his place in recent months.

But with his deal due to expire at the end of the season, United are considering their next course of action.

United do hold a one-year option on his deal and could look to extend his stay to 2024.

But the club are neither yet to trigger that option, nor offer him fresh terms. As a result, his agent Jonathan Barnett – one of the more savvy representatives around – is looking at potential new options for his client.

Furthermore, recent reports claim Shaw is open to a fresh challenge after so long at Old Trafford. Everton were recently listed among his suitors, though it seems Shaw has higher aspirations than that.

Indeed, the 27-times capped England is also reportedly on Barcelona’s radar.

As per Sport, they are are keen to land the left-back as a long-term successor to Jordi Alba. The Blaugrana are reportedly in talks with the veteran Spain star over severing his deal early.

The 33-year-old’s deal is due to expire in summer 2024, but both parties are ready to part ways.

Barcelona want Leeds target if they fail to land Luke Shaw

And their No 1 target to step into his shoes is Shaw, with Xavi seemingly identifying the player as their top target to replace him.

Should they fail to land Shaw – or if the player does commit to a new deal – Barcelona do have two other options.

And their back-up plan could yet ruin Leeds United‘s quest to land a new left-back. Indeed, the Whites have a long-standing problem there themselves with Pascal Struijk filling in there this season.

Summer 2021 signing Junior Firpo has been a major let-down and Whites boss Jesse Marsch wants an upgrade.

And, as exclusively revealed by TEAMtalk, Leeds are looking at an ambitious deal for Raphael Guerreiro.

The Portuguese star has shown his quality in the World Cup and will hope to start Saturday’s quarter-final against Morocco.

With his Borussia Dortmund deal expiring in the summer, he is also reportedly on Barcelona’s wishlist too. And were they to move for the 28-year-old, that will almost certainly end Leeds’ prospects of signing him.

Barcelona’s third option is reportedly Alex Grimaldo. The Spanish star currently plays at Benfica but also becomes a free agent in 2023.

He was touted for moves to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest over the summer, though neither were able to pull off deals.

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