Manchester United’s £25m bid rejected by La Liga club for promising midfielder

Manchester United have £25 million bid rejected by Barcelona for 21-year-old midfield star.

After finishing eighth in the Premier League last season, their lowest position at the end of a campaign since the inception of the competition in 1992, The Reds are expected to go through a complete overhaul in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s and INEOS first transfer window as minority owners.

Many departures are expected with the futures of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf and Sofyan Amrabat still uncertain and Christian Eriksen and Casemiro being linked with moves away from Old Trafford.

The club’s transfer strategy seems to have the mentality of out with the old and in with the new as young stars have been prioritised as seen by the hot pursuit of Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

INEOS want talented youngsters throughout the side and the latest to catch their eye is Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez.

The 21-year-old creative midfielder made 31 appearances in La Liga last season, finding the back of the net eight times, and is seen as an integral part of the Catalan side’s future.

It is reported by the Spanish outlet SPORT that Barcelona have rejected a £25 million (€30 million) bid from United for Lopez which matches the Spaniard’s current market valuation, however, the Camp Nou team are not willing to part ways with their playmaker unless an “irrefutable” bid is offered.

Barcelona believe that Lopez’s value will only increase and swiftly rejected the proposal as it was nowhere near their estimations of the player.

However, the financial struggles of the 27-time La Liga champions are well documented and they need to raise funds hence United’s low-ball offer a tactic which has also been seen in their approach for Branthwaite.

It remains to be seen if the Red Devils will return with an improved bid for the 21-year-old but the emphasis on trying to buy young talent for cheap is exciting as it goes against the overpaying that the club has embarrassingly suffered in recent years.