Football Digest: Analysing Man Utd's failed recruitment
Manchester United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso in the final week of the transfer market as they frantically search for left-back cover before the window closes. Injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have forced Erik ten Hag back into the market with the United boss desperate to find cover.
Diogo Dalot was given the nod on the left ahead of youngster Alvaro Fernandez in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but United appear to be pressing on as they look for another budget signing – having identified several options.
Free agent Ryan Bertrand was considered, alongside loans for the likes of Alonso, Marc Cucurella and Sergio Reguilon of Chelsea and Tottenham respectively.
Reports have suggested that United have been offered the chance to sign Alonso, who could seal a return to the Premier League after spending six years at Stamford Bridge before leaving for Barcelona in 2022. However, it appears that Alonso will not be heading to Old Trafford and is happy in La Liga.
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That’s according to ESPN, who claim that the 32-year-old has no intention of leaving Barcelona despite any proposals that may arrive before the window closes. He also started in his side’s match with Villarreal on Sunday, further highlighting how crucial he is to Xavi’s plans.
Alonso signed a new contract in January, keeping him at Barcelona until next summer – with a buyout clause set at £43million. However, with the defender’s insistence that he remains in Spain, United will have to look at their other three targets instead.
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Express Sport understands that Bertrand is one player who has been shortlisted by the United chiefs, but as he is currently without a club he is not subject to the September 1 deadline and the Red Devils may consider looking at preferred options and turning to the former Southampton and Leicester defender if necessary.
Though Reguilon may be closer to Fulham as opposed to United, however, as The Telegraph claims that a move to Marco Silva’s side is currently more advanced. After being loaned out last season and then struggling to nail down a position at Spurs, Reguilon may feel that he has a better opportunity for long-term security at Craven Cottage rather than being United’s stop-gap.
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that United and Chelsea spoke on Saturday regarding the possibility of a loan deal for Cucurella. With the Spaniard behind Ben Chilwell in the pecking order, the Blues are open to letting him leave on a temporary basis – though they will require their conditions to be met in terms of a loan fee and covering Cucurella salary.
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