Transfer News: Manchester United win the race to sign Marc Jurado from Barcelona

Manchester United are on the verge of completing a move for Marc Jurado, who left the Barcelona academy earlier this summer.

According to Evening Standard, Manchester United have won the race to sign Marc Jurado. The 16-year-old whiz kid confirmed his departure from La Masia academy earlier this summer and is tipped to switch to Old Trafford.

Barcelona did offer Jurado a chance to sign a three-year contract extension, which was rejected by the player. And the young right-back seems to be on the verge of a move to Manchester United as he takes the next step in his career. His potential move to Old Trafford has been further fueled by a comment on Bruno Fernandes’ recent Instagram post.

The potential addition of Jurado is, no doubt, a part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s strategy of emphasising on the development of youth players. The Red Devils have already enjoyed a lot of success in regards to their youth developments in recent years, having produced players like Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood.

They are all considered to be key members of the first-team. And although Jurado doesn’t exactly fit Solskjaer’s preferred “promising British players” category, he certainly has a lot to offer.

Having been a part of Barcelona U16s since last summer, Jurado has built quite a reputation in the youth levels thanks to his consistent performances. He has impressed the onlookers with his technical qualities, as one would normally expect from a La Masia product.

The 16-year-old is also known for his sublime crossing traits, which tunes in well with Solskjaer’s tactical set up at Manchester United. Indeed, the youngster can be an excellent fit at Old Trafford, especially with Diogo Dalot failing to make an impression in the first-team.

Although Jurado will not be considered for the senior side upon his potential arrival this summer, he certainly has the quality to get promoted to the first-team in no time. The young Spaniard could have an excellent chance of becoming Manchester United’s primary alternative for Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.

For Barcelona, meanwhile, Jurado’s rejection is a small yet significant warning sign as talented youngsters from their youth academy begin to look elsewhere instead of staying in Catalonia.

The Blaugrana, however, are looking to bring back one of their graduates this summer, in the shape of Eric Garcia from Manchester City. It will be interesting to see how that deal pans out in the coming weeks.