With their sights set on bouncing back in the upcoming season, Barcelona and Manchester United are addressing possible moves to strengthen their squads. After failing to win La Liga and the Premier League, respectively, these two European giants can't wait to get back to action for the 2021/22 campaign.
Ronald Koeman has been under heavy fire during his first year at the helm of the Cules, where he even was on the verge of the sack as his team struggled in the Spanish top-flight and the Champions League. This time, he will try to make a better job to get Barca back on track.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will now face a crucial campaign in charge of the Red Devils following another trophyless season at Old Trafford. Both teams are looking to get back to glory days, and reports from Spain state they could make a deal that benefits both parties.
Manchester United player 'offered' to Barcelona
According to Mundo Deportivo, Donny van de Beek has been offered to Barcelona. The Dutchman arrived at Manchester last summer as one of the biggest signings of the transfer window, yet he couldn't live up to expectations so far.
van de Beek, 24, struggled to earn a place in the starting eleven as he faced fierce competition in his position with Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, and Fred frequently ahead of him. Solskjaer, however, has constantly expressed that van de Beek was on his plans.
Nonetheless, the Spanish outlet reported that he was made available for the Cules. After Georginio Wijnaldum suddenly turned down their offer to join PSG, Barca are still waiting to strengthen that position. But they do not have the money to afford van de Beek and they could have only two ways to make the deal come true: either agreeing on a loan move or offering a player in exchange.
What Barcelona would offer for van de Beek
Barcelona's delicate financial situation would prevent them from moving forward with any signing. Their only ways to sign players seem to be either landing free agents - such as Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia, and Memphis Depay - or reaching other kinds of agreements such as loan moves or trades.
Therefore, it's no surprise to hear the rumors of Antoine Griezmann's return to Atletico in exchange for Saul, but now that the negotiations seem to be stalled, van de Beek has emerged as another option to boost the midfield. Mundo Deportivo stated that Barca would consider including Samuel Umtiti in the deal, yet it seems unlikely that the Red Devils accept it.
Raphael Varane is understood to be United's priority target to upgrade the defense, and even though they might consider sending van de Beek to Barca, they'll probably study other options rather than receiving Umtiti.
