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Manchester United to battle three Premier League rivals for Pau Cubarsi?

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 13 March 2024

Man United to battle three Premier League rivals for Cubarsi?

Manchester United are one of four Premier League clubs interested in signing Barcelona's teenage defender Pau Cubarsi, according to a report.

Manchester United are reportedly one of four Premier League clubs interested in signing Barcelona's Pau Cubarsi.

The 17-year-old has made the breakthrough into the Barcelona first team in recent weeks, making 12 appearances during the 2023-24 campaign, including nine outings in La Liga.

Cubarsi has featured in each of his team's last nine league games, with eight of those outings proving to be starts, while be played the full 90 minutes of Tuesday's last-16 Champions League second leg with Napoli, putting in a man-of-the-match performance.

The centre-back spent time in the Girona youth system before moving to Barcelona in 2018, and he made nine league appearances for Barcelona B before breaking into the senior set-up.

Cubarsi has a contract at Camp Nou until June 2026, but it is believed that his release clause is around €10m (£8.5m).

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured on February 1, 2024 © Reuters

According to Sport, the defender's form has attracted the attention of four of the Premier League's biggest clubs, including Man United.

The report claims that Manchester City have been scouting the centre-back of late, while Arsenal and Chelsea are 'very attentive to his movements'.

Man United are expected to sign at least one centre-back this summer, with Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane both only having contracts until the end of June.

Meanwhile, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea are all allegedly keen to win the race for Cubarsi, who has been capped at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17s level by Spain.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on March 3, 2024 © Reuters

However, the report claims that the youngster currently has no desire to leave the La Liga champions.

Barcelona have also allegedly made it clear that they are preparing to offer him a new contract with improved terms to reflect his importance to the side.

"Cubarsi is a very rational kid, a humble guy, calm, down to earth. He has an incredible future, we're probably looking at a centre-back who will play at the maximum level for years to come," Barcelona boss Xavi told reporters following the clash with Napoli.

"My pulse does not go up when Cubarsi has the ball. That's the best summary for him. Cubarsi does not get nervous. He's very calm, his ball output is brutal, he has pause, he generates attacking plays, he links up with interiors and forwards. It's a spectacle to watch him play."

Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo and Benfica's Antonio Silva are also believed to be on Man United's centre-back shortlist for the summer market.