Manchester United have tried to make it a habit in the past to look to Spain to sign top youth talent.
Back in 2020, Manchester United raided Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to sign Marc Jurado, Alvaro Fernandez and Alejandro Garnacho.
While in an ideal scenario, all three would have developed into first team stars, you would have settled back then if offered a guarantee that one would. Alejandro Garnacho is that man, establishing himself as one of the team’s key players.
Now, United are looking at another potential raid for a La Liga jewel, Pau Cubarsi.
According to Sport, United are paying attention to the young Barcelona defender, who has already made his first team debut.
Cubarsi has a release clause of £8 million, in his contract which runs until 2026.
Pau Cubarsi background and current season
Pau Cubarsi began his youth career with Girona before switching to Barcelona in 2018 to continue his development at La Masia. It is a decision which has paid off.
After featuring for their B team, Cubarsi made his first team debut this past January at just 16.
He turned 17 later that month, and has gone onto make 12 first team appearances in total, including playing in the Champions League last 16, where he shut down Victor Osimhen.
Pau Cubarsi profile
- Full name: Pau Cubarsi Paredes
- Age/date of birth: 17, born on 22/1/07
- Place of birth: Estanyol
- Nationality: Spain
- Position: Centre-back
- Club: Barcelona
What has been said about Pau Cubarsi
Pau Cubarsi has won over Barcelona boss Xavi, who has shown huge faith in the young defender.
Speaking to La Liga TV earlier this month, he said: “Today he had two very powerful strikers in front of him. He had an amazing game. He is playing like a captain, it’s amazing. The personality that he showed for the team, I think it was spectacular today.”
Two problems with Pau Cubarsi move
There are two problems with a potential move for Pau Cubarsi, and that is his age. Due to Brexit, Manchester United cannot sign him until January 2025.
By that time Barcelona may have already renewed his contract and removed the release clause which is causing concern for them.
However, Sport claim Cubarsi is loving life at Barcelona and they are confident he would choose to stay if his release clause is triggered.
A year is a long time in football though, and Barcelona boss Xavi is set to leave at the end of the season, and Cubarsi might find himself less committed if he falls out of favour.
This is a potential deal to note for the future. New investors Ineos plan to scour the globe for youth talent, and if they really want to test their pulling power, they could try a probably impossible attempt to sign him to Nice this summer to follow Jean-Clair Todibo, with a future move to Old Trafford promised later on.
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