Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Carles Alena, Chris Smalling

Manchester United are reportedly keeping an eye on Barcelona’s midfield prospect Carles Alena.

Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday People (h/t the Sunday Mirror) has reported the Red Devils have been watching the 18-year-old sensation, who has starred in the academy and with Barcelona B. 

In the piece it’s suggested the Blaugrana are keen to secure the future of Alena, with a new four-year deal on the table. Any new terms would include a buyout clause amounting to a whopping £43 million.

Here is a look at why there is so much excitement surrounding the youngster, who has been tipped as the “new Andres Iniesta,” according to Hopkinson:

As you’d expect of a young player that’s had his skills crafted by La Masia, Alena is a wonderful technician and possesses a thorough appreciation of the game. On the ball he can slalom through challenges and pick telling passes.

While he’s been around the Barcelona first team as of late—Alena was in the squad for the La Liga clash with Malaga on Saturday—there’s still a lot of developing for the teenager to do. But United would be delighted if they were able to convince him to make the switch to Old Trafford.

Spanish football journalist Sergi Dominguez has hailed Alena as one of the brightest prospects in the Barcelona youth setup:

Alena wouldn’t be the first exciting youth prospect to be lured away from Barca. In the past the likes of Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas made moves to the Premier League when they were very young before eventually returning to the Camp Nou.

However, Alena looks to be at the ideal place to continue his development and is close to making his league debut for the senior team. As such, it’d make little sense for him to depart.

Chris Smalling Set for New Deal

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According to Mike McGrath of the Sun on Sunday, Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is set to sign a new deal with the club.

McGrath noted there is tension between player and manager Jose Mourinho after a row over the defender’s fitness. Nevertheless, the England international is reportedly in talks over an extension at Old Trafford, with his current contract set to expire in 2019.

Smalling has grown into a key defender with the Red Devils having excelled under former manager Louis van Gaal. However, questions remain as to whether the former Fulham man is the right partner for Eric Bailly as United seek to build a defence that can underpin a Premier League title challenge.

Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette would like to see Mourinho sign another defender in the upcoming transfer window:

Smalling has at least proved himself to be a reliable Premier League defender. The United man is strong in the air, dynamic in his tracking of runners and is a capable distributor too. Given these qualities, it’s little surprise that the Red Devils are keen to pin him down for years to come.

According to Steve Bates of the Sunday Mirror, Arsenal are long-term admirers of Smalling and would move for the defender if he was to be put up for sale by United. However, it makes sense for the defender to stay with his current employers and continue making improvements to his game.