Manchester United Transfer News: Juan Cuadrado Contract to Set New Exit Clause

Long-term Manchester United target Juan Cuadrado is set to sign a new contract with current club Fiorentina which will include a reported buyout clause of around €35 million (£27.5 million).

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the versatile Colombian winger will put pen to paper with the Serie A club on Friday, but that is unlikely to ward off suitors in the coming transfer window. 

A whole host of clubs were linked with Cuadrado in the summer following his fine performance at the World Cup in Brazil, with United reportedly the front-runners at the time.

However, as reported by Greg Stobart and David Craddock of Goal.com, Louis van Gaal missed out on Cuadrado because the Red Devils were "unwilling to offer more than £30m for the former Udinese man."

With Cuadrado's release clause now set to be below the £30 million mark, United—and others—may well look to go back in for the player.

Despite having eventually signed Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid in the summer, Cuadrado could still be very valuable for the Old Trafford outfit, especially considering his ability to play across the midfield and potentially as a wing-back—and score stunning goals, per 101 Great Goals:

While United's most pressing transfer needs are in defence—they have conceded 12 goals in eight Premier League games already this season—the Old Trafford outfit are reportedly still interested in Cuadrado, per Goal.com.

However, they may face competition from Barcelona, as the Camp Nou giants were eager to sign Cuadrado in the summer with the Express' Joe Short reporting their interest.

A transfer ban would prevent that deal until 2016, but Cuadrado may be inclined to wait if he knows Barca will ready a package for when they return to the market.

As beIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri highlighted in the summer, Fiorentina were asking for €40 million (£31.5 million) to sign Cuadrado:

With that figure seemingly now reduced in his new contract, it would be no surprise to see clubs clamouring to snap the 26-year-old up when the January transfer window opens.

Whether United will go back in for him remains to be seen but he would undoubtedly be a fine addition to the squad. However, with defensive players the most pressing priority at Old Trafford currently, Cuadrado may not be topping Van Gaal's wishlist despite the price.