Manchester United eye box-to-box midfielder, launch £36.1m offer

According to latest reports in Spain, Premier League giant Manchester United have tabled an official bid to sign versatile FC Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto.

Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo believes United have tabled an offer worth £36.1m, but are not the only Premier League side looking to buy the 25-year-old. City neighbours Manchester City were thought to have made their own approach a month ago, while Premier League Champions Chelsea are also now said to be pursuing him.

The Red Devils have apparently made Roberto aware of their intent to sign him, although FC Barcelona insist that they are not willing to sell, and the player is reportedly willing to stay at the Nou Camp.

The La Masia product played predominantly at right-back during Luis Enrique’s last season in charge, following the exit of Dani Alves to Serie A giant Juventus.

Sergi Roberto played 47 matches across all competition for Barcelona.

Despite impressing in that unfamiliar position, FC Barcelona made the signing of a new right-sided defender a top priority following the appointment of Ernesto Valverde as new manager.

After failing with their attempts to sign Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, FC Barcelona also linked with Joan Cancelo, Alvaro Odriozola, and Cedric Soares eventually signed Nelson Semedo from Benfica in a transfer deal valued at €30m.

Manchester United have captured the services of three players this summer transfer window to date, with Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku recently joined at Old Trafford by Serbian Nemanja Matic.

United boss Jose Mourinho is known to be targeting four new players before the end of the transfer window, with a winger now top of his wishlist as rumour regarding Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic persists.