Manchester United Transfer News: Marc Bartra and Moussa Dembele Rumours Emerge

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is reportedly looking to use his strong bond with former Barcelona player Carles Puyol to help capture the Blaugrana’s out-of-favour defender, Marc Bartra.

According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) the Red Devils are keeping a close eye on the rumoured Arsenal target. In the piece, it’s noted that Puyol now represents Bartra and therefore could have a decisive influence in where the centre-back ends up, should he leave Barcelona.

Bartra may have struggled to nail down a regular spot at the heart of the Blaugrana back line, making just five La Liga appearances this season, but he’s a big talent, as we can see here:

Indeed, it’s a surprise Bartra remained at the Camp Nou this season, despite the obvious ties he’ll have to the club after being schooled at the revered La Masia academy. Barcelona are very well off in the centre-back positions, with Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jeremy Mathieu and Thomas Vermaelen all seemingly ahead of the 24-year-old in the pecking order.

As noted by Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez, Bartra was left out the squad completely for the clash with Real Madrid this weekend:

For United, he’d potentially be a brilliant signing, even though their defence has been in excellent fettle so far this term. Van Gaal doesn’t have a great amount of depth in the centre-back positions, so landing someone like Bartra, who would be hungry to prove himself, is suited to the manager’s style and an ideal foil for Chris Smalling, would be savvy business.

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It may be difficult for Bartra to leave the Camp Nou, as he’ll have always dreamed of becoming a regular for the club. However, he needs to be playing consistent football at this stage of his career, and if United were to come calling next summer, then the prospect of a move away from Catalonia wouldn’t be so daunting.

Manchester United Looking at Moussa Dembele

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According to Get French Football News (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star), Manchester United have enquired to Fulham about their bright young striker Moussa Dembele, who has also been linked with a move to Bayern Munich.

Harvey writes the forward’s contract with the Championship side is due to expire in the summer, and Fulham are currently interested in extending his stay at Craven Cottage. So far this season, the 19-year-old has scored seven goals in the second tier.

As we can see here, Dembele has been rewarded for some excellent recent form with the Football League Young Player of the Month award, per his Twitter feed:

Having previously been in the Paris Saint-Germain youth setup, Dembele knows what it’s like to be at a big club. Nevertheless, had he not made the switch from the French capital to the English capital, it’s unlikely his breakthrough would have come so early in his career; he certainly wouldn’t be starting matches as frequently as he is doing at the moment.

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It’s why he’d have to think carefully about making another massive transfer so early in his career. United may be short of options up front, but it’s difficult to see Dembele getting many minutes on the pitch should he make the move to Old Trafford. Signing the contract extension at Fulham and continuing his progression there is the most logical course of action for the youngster.