Man Utd reach agreement in principle with former Barca star, says Fabrizio Romano

Manchester United’s left-back issues could be solved by a former Barcelona academy talent, as the Premier League outfit open talks to sign Marc Cucurella.

Injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have left the Red Devils in a pickle and forced the club’s hierarchy to jump into the transfer market for a new left-back.

At the moment the only natural left-back with experience at professional level at Erik ten Hag’s disposal is Alvaro Fernandez. The 20-year-old did fine in the Championship with Preston North End last season but is yet to make his competitive debut for United. Against Nottingham Forest, Ten Hag opted to start right-back Diogo Dalot on the flank.

Behind the scenes, United had already started working on making a short-list of stop-gap solutions. Over the weekend it emerged that Cucurella, Marcos Alonso, and Sergio Reguilon are on the club’s target list.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has suggested the Spaniard is the Old Trafford outfit’s preferred target, as United have decided to not negotiate for any other left-back for now and are focused on finding an agreement with Chelsea over a season-long loan deal. They have offered the London side a loan fee in excess of £2m, but the Blues are asking for more.

However, the transfer expert says United have reached an agreement in principle on personal terms with the player, who has given ‘green light’ from his end to move to Manchester.

The 25-year-old, who graduated from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, enjoyed an impressive maiden campaign in England with Brighton. The switch to Chelsea followed 12 months later in 2022, but he failed to impress at Stamford Bridge.

The arrival of Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t changed his situation and Chelsea are open to listening to offers for him before the close of the window.