Man United target’s ‘morale’ hit by Paulinho

Sarah Winterburn

Chelsea and Manchester United target Sergi Roberto has suffered ‘a blow to his morale’ with Barcelona’s signing of Paulinho.

The Barcelona midfielder did not start Sunday’s Supercopa clash with Real Madrid despite ending last season as the club’s first-choice right-back and has received no assurances from Ernesto Valverde that he is part of his plans for next season.

In fact, Spanish newspaper Sport claim that the Barcelona manager ‘considers him a back-up midfielder and does not see him as a starting full back’.

The signing of former Tottenham flop Paulinho could well be the last straw for Sergi Roberto, who – according to Sport – ‘is particularly attracted to the prospect of playing in the Premier League’.

Chelsea and Manchester United are both side to be prepared to meet his £36m release fee.