16-year-old right-back Marc Jurado has called time on his decade-long association with Barcelona ahead of a reported move to Manchester United.
According to ESPN, Marc Jurado is set to be the next whizkid to join the Manchester United youth project. The right-back has already confirmed his exit from Barcelona, with reports circulating that the Spaniard will join the Premier League giants in the coming week.
The report clarifies that Marc Jurado’s Barcelona contract expired on June 30. While the 16-year-old was eligible to sign a professional contract at the club since turning 16 in April, Jurado chose to let his deal run out in favour of a move to Manchester United.
ESPN also speculate that Barcelona did offer Jurado a three-year deal that could have seen him net around €100,000 by the last year with a €200,000 bonus earmarked for when he would ultimately make his Barcelona B debut.
The 16-year-old La Masia product confirmed the news through Instagram which seemed like an emotional parting message to the club and the fans before he joins Manchester United.
Jurado wrote, as translated in the ESPN report, “It’s never easy to leave the club that has given you everything. Barcelona has been my second home, my second family, where I have grown as a player and also as a person. Now it is time to say goodbye but not before thanking every one of the people that have helped me since I joined in 2011.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to share my passion with a fantastic generation of players. We started as kids that just wanted to chase the ball and I bid farewell, nine years later, able to call them my friends. We have had tremendous luck with the coaches we have had and that have developed us and helped us to keep fulfilling our dreams.”
“Everything has a beginning and an end. My end, after reflecting with my family, has arrived. I leave behind unforgettable memories that I will always carry with me.”
Barcelona did deem Jurado an important player for the future and are reportedly disappointed at having lost another young La Masia gem. The club, however, chalks it down to the player’s agent Carlos Lacueva and how he handled the negotiations.
#mufc’s depth at right-back:
• Aaron Wan-bissaka – [‘98]
• Diogo Dalot – [‘99]
• Ethan Laird – [‘00]
•*Lukasz Bejger – [‘02]
• Iestyn Hughes – [‘01]
• Harvey Neville – [‘02]Marc Jurado [‘02] becomes the latest addition at U18 level. pic.twitter.com/NjZQYVpSYf
— Ɽon (@UtdRonnie) June 29, 2020
As far as Manchester United are concerned, the club are spoilt for choice when it comes to good right-back options that are viewed as ultimate competition and successors to current first-choice in the senior squad, Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Jurado will have his work cut out to make it to the senior team.
This will come as a huge blow to Barcelona, who seemed to be finally getting things in order after getting Konrad de la Fuente to commit to a long-term deal.