La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly tracking the progress of 18-year-old Manchester United whizkid Alejandro Garnacho.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Alejandro Garnacho has emerged on the radar of FC Barcelona. The Catalan giants are considering signing the 18-year-old Manchester United prodigy in a Bosman move in the 2023 summer transfer window.
Alejandro Garnacho spent most of his formative years in Spain, starting his youth career at Getafe. The teenage wonderkid also spent half a decade at Atletico Madrid before joining Manchester United in October 2020. Since then, the Argentine under-20 international has been the jewel in the Red Devils’ youth division.
The 18-year-old made his first-team debut for Manchester United in April 2022. And he has established a foothold in Erik ten Hag’s squad this term, turning out seven times thus far. Garnacho has amassed an impressive tally of one goal and two assists in just 276 minutes of game time. And his progress at Manchester United has captured the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona will likely prioritise reinforcing the defensive and midfield units in the 2023 summer transfer window. But the Catalan giants usually do not overlook opportunities to bolster other departments if they present themselves. And Garnacho might offer such a chance to Barcelona next summer.
The 18-year-old prodigy is in the final few months of his Manchester United contract. And while the Red Devils are in talks with Garnacho over a new deal, Barcelona will look to turn his head in January. That is when the Argentine under-20 international will be eligible to speak with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement.
The teenage whizkid is a viable target for Barcelona amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Memphis Depay. The Dutch attacker is reportedly a target for Manchester United. In addition, Ferran Torres is in a soup at Camp Nou after falling down the pecking order this season. So Garnacho is an option worth considering for Barcelona.
But Manchester United will look to secure the long-term future of the 18-year-old prodigy in the coming weeks. With Garnacho not in Argentina’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Manchester United can use the upcoming break to conclude negotiations. But it will be interesting to see if Barcelona can turn his head.
