MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 15:30:20| >> :60:831:831:

Manchester United, Arsenal 'learn asking price for Barcelona teenager'

Man Utd, Arsenal 'learn asking price for Barcelona teenager'
© Reuters
Barcelona's Mikayil Faye - said to be wanted by Manchester United and Arsenal - could reportedly be available for between £12.9m and £17.1m this summer.

Barcelona centre-back Mikayil Faye could reportedly be available for between €15m (£12.9m) and €20m (£17.1m) during this summer's transfer window, with Manchester United and Arsenal both keen on him.

The 19-year-old's professional career started with Croatian outfit NK Kustosija last year, before making the move to Barcelona B at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

The defender is yet to make his first-team debut for Barcelona, but he has been training with the senior side of late and was on the bench for their recent La Liga matches with Mallorca and Las Palmas.

The Senegal international penned a four-year deal with the Catalan giants upon his arrival, but there is currently speculation surrounding his future at Camp Nou.

Man United are believed to have been scouting Faye in recent weeks, with the defender putting in a string of impressive performances for Barcelona B.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts on February 18, 2024© Reuters

Man United, Arsenal to compete for Faye's signature?

According to Calciomercato, there is also interest from Arsenal, with the Gunners keen to explore the possibility of securing his signature during this summer's transfer window.

Faye's contract is believed to have a release clause of €400m (£343m), but the report claims that offers of between €15m (£12.9m) and €20m (£17.1m) would likely be considered by Barcelona.

The reigning La Liga champions are working to sign both Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo this summer, with the pair proving to be important players since arriving on loan from Atletico Madrid and Manchester City respectively.

Barcelona will therefore be under pressure to make some sales this summer in order to balance the books, and Faye is expected to be available for transfer despite being a highly-rated defender.

Manchester United's Raphael Varane pictured in November 2023© Reuters

Man United have huge problems in the middle of their defence

Man United are expected to sign at least one centre-back this summer, but it is likely that two will be required due to the club's issues in that area of the field.

Both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans only have deals until the end of June, while the futures of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire continue to be called into question.

There are also concerns over the fitness of Lisandro Martinez, with the Argentina international again on the sidelines due to a calf problem, and it has been a frustrating 12 months for him due to injury issues.

As it stands, Maguire is the team's only senior centre-back available for selection, with Lindelof and Martinez both out for a month, while Varane and Evans were forced off injured against Chelsea on Thursday.

Willy Kambwala, 19, is therefore expected to be given the nod in the middle of the defence alongside Maguire for Sunday's Premier League contest with division leaders Liverpool.

ID:540668:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5020:

Click here for more stories about Mikayil Faye

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe on March 17, 2023
Read Next:
Man Utd 'interested in signing teenage centre-back duo'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!