Man Utd, Barcelona ‘intensify contacts’ as hope grows of ‘pure exchange’ ahead of deadline

Joe Williams
Man Utd defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka puts his hands on his hips

Man Utd are reportedly ready to step up their pursuit of Sergino Dest and it could end in swap deal with Barcelona for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

United are looking to sign four more players before Thursday’s transfer deadline, according to the latest reports today, adding to summer signings Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.

The Daily Telegraph claimed earlier today that the Red Devils are ‘considering signing a right-back, a midfielder or possibly even another forward before the transfer deadline’.


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And that new right-back could be Barcelona’s Dest with rumours circulating for quite some time that Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag wants the USA international.

Spanish newspaper Sport claim that Man Utd and Barcelona are ‘intensifying contacts’ over the potential that they could swap Wan-Bissaka and Dest.

Barcelona boss Xavi doesn’t fancy Dest with the former Spain international not a fan of the ‘anarchy’ that the 21-year-old brings to matches.

‘Economic limitations’ mean that Barcelona have their hands tied for the rest of the window, depending on sales, and Sport adds that they are looking for a ‘pure exchange’ for Wan-Bissaka.

Presumably meaning neither club will part with extra money to complete the swap deal this summer with Man Utd boss Ten Hag ‘favourable to the arrival of Dest’.

Sport continues by saying that ‘the two clubs will have to hurry to close the operation in the event of reaching an agreement’.

Man Utd have started the season with some mixed performances and results but are now eighth after their first four Premier League matches.

The Red Devils started off the season in terrible style by losing 2-1 to Brighton and 4-0 to Brentford but they have now gone some way to putting things right with back-to-back victories over Liverpool and Southampton.

And former Man Utd striker Dwight Yorke thinks that the appointment of Steve McClaren as assistant manager will end up being a great decision from Ten Hag.

“He’s gone in and been quite clever in bringing in Steve McClaren,” Yorke told Lord Ping.

“Someone Erik feels comfortable with and someone that was part of the coaching team for some of the most successful teams in United’s history. That was a good appointment.

“I understand why the appointment of McClaren raised a few eyebrows, but when you become a manager, you have to trust the people in and around you, to give you the best advice. Those tough decisions.”