Man Utd eye up midfielder with whopping £427million release clause as landmark signing

Manchester United are reportedly showing interest in a Barcelona midfielder with a £427 million release clause.

Man United head coach Michael Carrick is looking to add both strength and depth to his squad as United prepare to compete in four competitions – the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League – next season.

Despite United showing interest in Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, who have both signed for Spurs, the 20-time English champions have since welcomed midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to Old Trafford, with the pair completing moves from Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also arrived from Leeds United on a free transfer and will provide backup to Senne Lammens.

Earlier in the summer, a deal to bring Atalanta midfielder Ederson to United looked all but done. However, United have since pulled out of the move.

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But United are seemingly keen to bolster their midfield further, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that the club are among several sides interested in 19-year-old Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal.

The La Masia graduate featured 25 times for Barca in La Liga last term, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist as the Catalans won the Spanish title. The teenager also received his first Spain cap in a pre-World Cup friendly against Iraq in June but was not included in Luis de la Fuente’s final squad.

The left-footed youngster, who stands at six feet four inches, usually plays a holding role in midfield but is not afraid to get forward when needed, and his versatility is admired by United.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Roma and Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr are all keeping tabs on Bernal’s situation.

Bernal is contracted to Barca until 2029 and has a £427 million release clause written into his deal, with the club seeing him as untouchable at this time. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo also suggests the player has “absolute loyalty” to Barca.

United continue to be linked with several midfielders, including Roma’s Manu Koné, Fulham’s Sander Berge, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams.

Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee are linked with departures, with Juventus reportedly interested in the latter.

The transfer window shuts on September 1.

Marc Bernal ‘owes life’ to Hansi Flick

Speaking to Catalunya Radio in May, Bernal was full of praise for Barca boss Flick, even claiming: “I owe him my life. He believed in me when I was only 17 years old, and I will always be grateful to him."

According to MD, Flick sees Bernal as integral to Barcelona’s future despite apparent interest from other clubs.