Barcelona transfer news

BARCELONA are ready to launch a £40million swoop for Mason Greenwood.The forward, 22, has spent this season on loan at Getafe from Manchester United.
Mason Greenwood joined Getafe on loan last summerCredit: Rex

Getafe want to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
But SunSport this week revealed that they are set to face competition from three LaLiga rivals, including Barcelona.
Should Greenwood make the switch to Barca he will become the tenth star to represent both illustrious clubs.
Ahead of the potential switch, SunSport takes a look at how the previous nine have fared at Old Trafford and the Nou Camp.
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GERARD PIQUE
After seven years in Barcelona’s academy, Pique ditched his hometown club for Manchester United at 17.
He picked up Premier League and Champions League winners’ medals with the Red Devils, but struggled to break into the team ahead of Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic.
Pique, now 36, later spoke fondly of his time at Old Trafford, despite re-joining Barca in 2008.
He went on to become a superstar with the Catalan giants, playing a key role in nine LaLiga title wins and three Champions League triumphs.
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Man Utd – 2004-2008: MISS
Barcelona – 2008-2022: HIT
Gerard Pique made 23 first team appearances for Man UtdCredit: Getty
He went on to play over 600 times for his hometown clubCredit: Splash News
MARK HUGHES
Sparky began his career at Old Trafford in 1980 and went on to have two successful stints at United.
He swapped the Theatre of Dreams for Barcelona in 1986, becoming part of Terry Venables’ British revolution at the Nou Camp alongside Gary Lineker.
Unlike Lineker, however, Hughes failed to make an impact in Spain, scoring just five times in 37 games before being loaned to Bayern Munich.
He returned to Man Utd in 1988 and went on to become a key man for Sir Alex Ferguson over the next seven years.
Man Utd – 1980-1986, 1988-1995: HIT
Barcelona – 1986-1988: MISS
Mark Hughes starred for Man Utd across two spellsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
He joined Barcelona alongside fellow Brit Gary Lineker in 1986Credit: Getty
JORDI CRUYFF
Attacking midfielder Cruyff came through at Barcelona under the tutelage of his legendary father Johan.
Living up to the name on the back of his shirt was always going to be a tough ask, however.
It never quite happened for Cruyff, who was sold by Barcelona after two years in their first team.
He later spent four seasons with Man Utd, but didn’t hit the heights at Old Trafford either.
Man Utd – 1996-2000: MISS
Barcelona – 1994-1996: MISS
Jordi Cruyff signed for Man Utd in 1996Credit: PA:Empics Sport
The Dutchman had come through at Barcelona under his legendary fatherCredit: AFP
HENRIK LARSSON
Legendary forward Larsson joined Barcelona aged 33 after spending the bulk of his prime with Celtic.
The Swede proved that he was still a top class forward at Barca, helping them to a pair of LaLiga titles and the Champions League.
He joined boyhood club Helsingborgs in 2006, but would have one more stint with one of Europe’s elite, signing for Man Utd on loan in 2007.
Aged 35 he proved to be a popular figure at Old Trafford, using his experience to help them to the Prem title.
Man Utd – 2007: HIT
Barcelona – 2004-2006: HIT
Henrik Larsson joined Man Utd on loan in 2007Credit: AFP
The Swede won the Champions League with BarcelonaCredit: AFP
VICTOR VALDES
Homegrown stopper Valdes spent 12 years as Barcelona’s No1 goalkeeper between 2002 and 2014.
His ability with his feet enabled him to fit Barca’s style of play like a glove, and he helped them to six league titles and three Champions Leagues.
In 2014 Barcelona opted to move in a different direction by signing Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with Valdes being allowed to join Man Utd on a free transfer.
Valdes failed to topple compatriot David de Gea as United’s No1, making just two appearances before bizarrely joining Middlesbrough.
Man Utd – 2015-2016: MISS
Barcelona – 2002-2014: HIT
Victor Valdes made just two first team appearances for Man UtdCredit: PA:Empics Sport
The Spaniard excelled during his time at BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press
LAURENT BLANC
French defender Blanc joined Barcelona to play for Johan Cruyff in 1996 following his brilliant performances for Auxerre.
So it was a bitter blow when Cruyff was sacked immediately.
He spent one unhappy year with Barca before leaving for Marseille in 1997.
Having long been a fan of Blanc, Ferguson finally got his man aged 35 in 2001, although his best years were long behind him.
Man Utd – 2001-2003: MISS
Barcelona – 1996-1997: MISS
Laurent Blanc joined Man Utd aged 35Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Blanc endured an unhappy year at BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
MEMPHIS DEPAY
Dutch winger Depay joined Man Utd in 2015 to much fanfare to play under compatriot Louis van Gaal.
He struggled to ever deliver on his promise at Old Trafford, however, and completely fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho.
Depay joined Lyon in 2017 and successfully rebuilt his career in Ligue 1, earning a move to Barcelona four years later.
He never quite produced the goods at Barca and was allowed to join Atletico Madrid for under £4million in January.
Man Utd – 2015-2017: MISS
Barcelona – 2021-2023: MISS
Memphis Depay joined Man Utd in 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
He rebuilt his career at Lyon and then signed for BarcelonaCredit: EPA
ALEXIS SANCHEZ
Chilean forward moved to Man Utd from Arsenal in a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move the other way in January 2018.
His spell at Old Trafford was an unmitigated disaster, however, as he only scored five goals in 45 games.
Prior to joining Arsenal he had excelled during three years at Barcelona.
He bagged 46 goals and laid on 37 assists during his stint in Catalonia.
Man Utd – 2018-2020: MISS
Barcelona – 2011-2014: HIT
Alexis Sanchez endured an unhappy spell at Man UtdCredit: Reuters
The Chilean was far more successful at BarcelonaCredit: Getty
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
Swedish legend Ibrahimovic signed for Man Utd aged 34 in 2016 after four years at Paris Saint-Germain.
He immediately hit the ground running, scoring 28 goals in his debut season in England.
Ibrahimovic suffered a devastating knee injury towards the end of the campaign and scarcely featured during his second United term upon his return.
Earlier in his career he had signed for Barcelona from Inter Milan in 2009, but endured an unhappy spell under Pep Guardiola, who opted to move Lionel Messi into a central position during that campaign, thus marginalising Ibra.
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Man Utd – 2016-2018: HIT
Barcelona – 2009-2011: MISS
Zlatan Ibrahimovic achieved cult hero status at Man UtdCredit: Getty
The Swede didn’t quite fit in at BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor More

MASON GREENWOOD could form a stunning front line if he joins Barcelona.The Spanish giants are ready to make a £40million transfer swoop for the Manchester United forward.
Mason Greenwood could form a stunning front three if he joins BarcelonaCredit: Rex
Gavi would also feature in a devastating line up for Xavi’s sideCredit: AP
Barca have even set aside Lionel Messi’s iconic No10 shirt in a bid to persuade Greenwood to join the club.
The 22-year-old, who is currently on loan at Getafe, has scored five goals and provided four assists in La Liga so far this season.
Although Getafe want to sign Greenwood permanently, Barcelona are the current favourites to land him.
The signing of Greenwood would allow Xavi to start the Englishman in a devastating front three.
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Greenwood is able to play across the attack but would likely slot in on the right wing for Barca.
Former Chelsea loanee Joao Felix has been Xavi’s preferred choice on the left flank this term.
The attack would then be completed by top scorer Robert Lewandowski down the middle.
In midfield, Xavi can call upon the experience of Oriol Romeu and Ilkay Gundogan next to teenage sensation Gavi.
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Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde are the standout names to appear as full-backs on the right and left, respectively.
Between them, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen have formed a solid defensive partnership this term.
Long-serving goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen completes the line up, although the German is currently sidelined with a back injury.
Deputy Inaki Pena, who came through the club’s famed La Masia academy, serves as a solid back-up option, though.
Mason Greenwood is impressing in LaLiga More

BARCELONA are determined to land Mason Greenwood – and have sent scouts to his last three matches.Representatives of the Spanish giants have reported that the Manchester United forward is “tailor-made” for the Nou Camp.
Barcelona want to sign Mason GreenwoodCredit: EPA
A source said: “Barcelona are hugely interested in Greenwood, and are determined to bring him in.
“Right now, they are leading the race and are at the front of the queue. Scouts have watched Greenwood and have been tasked with deciding if he fits in with Barcelona’s style of play.
“The overwhelming view is that he does, and that he would be a strong addition to the squad.”
A move to Barcelona would represent a massive turnaround for Greenwood, who has been told he has no future at United.
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The source added: “Mason has settled in Spain and would be happy to stay there. And, of course, when a club like Barcelona comes calling you listen to what they have to say.
“For Mason it could be a career-changing move and having spent so long out of the game he is keen to make the most of all the new opportunities that now come his way.”
Earlier this year, Sun Online told how Greenwood was likely to find himself at the centre of Spanish summer transfer flurry.
The 22-year-old was loaned by Manchester United to Getafe at the start of this season – and has been in impressive form.
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SunSport understands, Barcelona, Valencia and Real Sociedad are all “monitoring” the England striker and could be poised to make a move in the Summer.
Our source said: “Mason has done brilliantly since he moved to Spain and is really catching the eye after a strong start to his time at Getafe.
“There are a number of clubs looking at him in Spain with scouts from Valencia and Sociedad seemingly at the front of the queue.
“It is highly unlikely Mason will return to Manchester United. That ship has sailed, and he looks set to enjoy the next phase of his career in Spain where he has really settled and found his feet both personally and professionally.
“He owes a huge debt to Getafe for the help and support they have given him, and it’s possible he could make his move there permanent at the end of the season.
“But if he carries on playing like he is, other bids and offers are likely to come in, leaving Mason, and the club, with a decision to make. After a very difficult year or so Mason feels like his career is on the up.
“Erik Ten Hag was always keen to keep Mason but that decision, in the end, was taken out of his hands. He’s now planning for the long term and Mason isn’t part of those plans.” More