Barcelona join Manchester United in race to sign 22-year-old Euro 2024 star: Reports
Manchester United reportedly faces competition from Barcelona for Everton's Amadou Onana, who is currently at Euro 2024 with Belgium. The holding midfielder is on the Red Devils' radar, but the Catalans are now looking at signing him.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports that Barca are keeping tabs on Onana and Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino. They are looking at Joshua Kimmich alternatives after cooling their interest in the Bayern Munich superstar.
Onana arrived at Goodison Park in August 2022 and has impressed during his two seasons there. The 16-cap Belgium international appeared 37 times across competitions last season, posting three goals and one assist. His aggressiveness, power, and athleticism have drawn attention to him.
Barcelona joins Arsenal and Manchester United in tracking Onana, who has played in all three of Belgium's Euro 2024 games. He looks increasingly likely to leave Everton this summer and could fetch a hefty fee, significantly more than the £34 million the Toffees paid.
The Blaugrana's interest in Onana could see them opt to solely focus on signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte. Reports claim they are set to make a bid for the Uruguayan holding midfielder.
However, if Onana were to leave Everton, Jarrad Branthwaite's arrival at Old Trafford could be ruled out. The Red Devils have already failed with an opening £35 million bid for the Toffees defender.
Barcelona's Fermin Lopez shot down links to Manchester United while with Spain at Euro 2024
Manchester United has also been linked with Barcelona starlet Fermin Lopez. The La Liga giants reportedly rejected the Red Devils' €30 million (£25.4 million) offer for the Spanish attacker, per Football Espana.
Lopez, 21, enjoyed a breakout 2023-24 campaign with the Catalans, registering 11 goals and one assist in 42 games across competitions. He's viewed as one of Barca's most exciting talents, and United appear interested.
However, Lopez has poured cold water on talk of a move to Old Trafford. He insisted he's only focused on the Blaugrana (via the source above):
"I don’t read the press, I’m not very interested in it. The important thing is that I want to be at Barcelona, and that I only think about Barcelona. Nothing else."
Manchester United are set to make changes to their midfield and are seemingly eyeing a new defensive midfielder and attacker. This will be the first summer transfer window under INEOS' control.
Barca don't want to lose their exciting young talents despite still enduring financial trouble. They are set for a busy summer with Hansi Flick now at the helm, and he may want to get a look at Lopez, who is away with Spain at Euro 2024.