Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd make ‘formal offer’ to sign Barcelona player; complex swap deal with Chelsea flop concerns Ten Hag

Andreas Christensen, Marcos Alonso, Barcelona, May 2023

Marcos Alonso could be offered route back to the Premier League with Manchester United

Barcelona are reportedly in receipt of an official approach from Manchester United over a deal to bring Marcos Alonso back to the Premier League – but Erik ten Hag’s prospects of a deal are complicated by interest from another LaLiga side.

The Red Devils have been forced to alter their transfer approach with just days left in the window following a double injury blow at left-back. With Tyrell Malacia already sidelined, the Red Devils also lost Luke Shaw to injury to leave Ten Hag without any experienced options. As a result, right-back Diogo Dalot was asked to switch flanks and start Saturday’s thrilling 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest as cover.

However, Ten Hag is not a fan of using Dalot on the opposite flank, especially as it also leaves him vulnerable for right-back cover for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

As a result, United’s immediate focus in the final days of the window is likely to focus on the addition of a new left-back as well as their long-standing quest to also add a holding midfielder to partner Casemiro.

Indeed, with Ten Hag openly admitting United have their eyes on the market for a likely left-back addition, the club has since been linked with a plethora of targets. To that end, Sergio Reguilon, Ivan Perisic, Rico Henry and perhaps, strongest of all, Marc Cucurella have all been touted as possible targets.

Of that quartet, a deal for Cucurella perhaps looks most likely, amid claims Mauricio Pochettino has cleared his exit to United.

The Spaniard has slipped down the pecking order under the Argentina, having not really shown any form to justify the hefty £65m fee the Blues paid for him last season.

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Man Utd make move to prise Marcos Alonso from Barcelona

As a result, a move to Old Trafford will be sanctioned if United agree to pay a sizeable loan fee and cover Cucurella’s salary in full.

However, reports in Spain claim United are pressing ahead first with an alternative option in the form of Alonso.

The former Chelsea wing-back made 37 appearances last season as Barcelona were crowned LaLiga champions.

However, he has never quite had the trust of coach Xavi, who regularly picks teenager Alejandro Balde ahead of him.

And now according to Sport, Ten Hag and Co have made a formal bid to Barca to try and lure Alonso back to the Premier League.

Per their report, United have approached Barcelona to sign Alonso on an initial season-long loan deal. Furthermore, they state Ten Hag wants a decision reached quickly and hopes to have the 32-year-old in his squad in time for their next Premier League fixture, away to Arsenal, this Sunday.

And while Barcelona may well consider his exit, if United are to do a deal, however, it may need them to persuade the player to return to England first.

After six seasons in the Premier League with Chelsea, it’s suggested the former Firoentina man has no intentions of returning to England.

In addition, they claim Barcelona also have other ideas for Alonso amid claims he could be used as a makeweight in a deal to bring Joao Felix to the Nou Camp.

The Portugual forward spent time on loan at Chelsea last season, though the Blues passed up their chance to sign him permanently after an indifferent spell.

Now with his Atletico future under a cloud and amid links to Barcelona, it’s suggested Alonso could be used as part of a swap deal.

Alonso grew up in Madrid, starting his career in Real’s academy, and is said to be open about the idea of joining Diego Simeone’s side.

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