Man United refuse to give up on huge ‘strategic signing’

Man United continue to pursue the signing of Barcelona forward Ansu Fati.

Fati emerged as a legitimate target for United earlier this month, the subject of a ‘huge £89m offer’.

There have been further reports of another ‘dizzying’ bid, which was seemingly corroborated by the Sunday Times.

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They claimed that ‘two proposals were presented to Barcelona’, the second a bid of €100m with €50m in add-ons.

The ‘intermediary’ was pointed to Fati’s €170m release clause, which Barcelona reportedly plan to increase with the offer of a first-team contract when he turns 18.

But United seem reluctant to give up the chase and Spanish newspaper Sport suggest a deal could still be struck.

United believe Fati is a player who ‘meets all the requirements to make a record investment,’ and have been particularly impressed with his ‘exemplary’ attitude.

The ‘humble’ and ‘eager’ teenager has also been shortlisted because ‘he is dynamic, fast, vertical and he has no fear of finishing the plays’.

He is therefore seen as ‘a strategic signing’ for the future as much as the present.

United continue to ponder their options ahead of this summer’s transfer window, with the futures of Paul Pogba and David de Gea among the talking points.

Leon Bailey is the latest winger to be linked with a move to Old Trafford after impressing for Bayer Leverkusen.

The 22-year-old is more of a left-sided forward but would be a cost-efficient substitute for priority signings Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish.