Sheffield United are reportedly in discussions with Barcelona to secure the services of Alex Collado on a season-long loan deal.
According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Alex Collado could be set to leave Barcelona before the summer transfer window slams shut. Sheffield United are in talks with the Catalan club over a loan move for the 22-year-old forward, with the option to sign him permanently next summer.
Alex Collado has been with Barcelona since 2009, having joined the Blaugrana following a three-year stint with Espanyol. A decade later, the Spaniard made his first-team debut for Barcelona, in La Liga against Celta Vigo. However, for the better part of the last two years, Collado has been with Barcelona B.
Indeed, the 22-year-old forward has managed just one further appearance for the first-team, while having racked up nearly 100 outings for Barcelona B. So, it hardly comes as a surprise that there have been speculation surrounding his future at the Catalan club, with Sheffield United now in the race to sign him.
Sheffield United have shown an eagerness to bolster their attack this summer, which makes sense considering they have been frugal in the final third in the early stages of the campaign. As a result, the Blades have been linked with a number of wide attacking players, one of whom was Manchester United prodigy Amad Diallo.
??#Sheffield United are in talks with #Barcelona to transfer Álex #Collado.
??Sheffield United want to hire Álex Collado with a buyout option.#ForçaBarça | #SUFC
?https://t.co/JZX88O6Bmw pic.twitter.com/mWrIbdmxxR— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) August 30, 2021
However, Diallo’s prospects of a loan exit have been severely hit after he sustained an injury in training, thereby scuppering any chances of a temporary move. Liverpool whizkid Harvey Elliott was also on the English club’s radar, but he appears set to stay put at Anfield.
Barcelona’s Alex Collado has now emerged as an option for Sheffield United, who are already in talks with the Catalan giants, as per Ekrem Konur. It has also been suggested that the initial move will be a loan, with the Blades having the option to sign the 22-year-old permanently next summer.
What now remains to be seen is if Sheffield United do end up landing Collado from Barcelona on Deadline Day or if they are forced to turn their attention towards an alternative once again. It will also be interesting to see if some other suitor emerges in pursuit of the Barcelona forward anytime soon.
