In a surprising turn of events, Barcelona is reportedly making strides to bring back one of their former youth prospects, Marc Jurado, from Manchester United. The 19-year-old defender, who moved to Old Trafford in 2020, has yet to make his senior debut for the Red Devils and is now reportedly in talks to return to his former club.
Jurado's journey to Manchester United began when he declined a new contract offer from Barcelona in May 2020. He subsequently signed his first professional contract with Manchester United 11 months later. However, according to Que T'hi Jugues, Jurado is now negotiating a return to Barcelona, with the Catalan giants actively working on the option.
I'm all in for Marc Jurado operation─that will be a very good reinforcement for Rafa Márquez's Barça Atlètic for next season.
One of the interesting RB products produced from La Masia, top quality performance, good in positioning and win more duels per match.
[1/2 pic.twitter.com/pH3EurGQla — LaMasia Report (@Lamasia_Report) July 14, 2023
The Spanish defender was named on the United bench earlier this year due to injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. However, he has since fallen down the pecking order under the management of Erik ten Hag and is now deemed surplus to requirements. This comes as part of a broader reshuffling at Manchester United, with several players such as Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, and Brandon Williams also reportedly on their way out.
The potential deal to bring Jurado back to Barcelona is said to be based on a reduced cost tied to specific objectives. This move signifies Barcelona's strategic approach to rebuilding their squad, focusing on nurturing homegrown talent and investing in players who understand the club's philosophy and style of play.
Jurado's potential return to Barcelona could be a significant step in his career, offering him the chance to play for a top-tier club and potentially break into the first team. However, the move also raises questions about Manchester United's youth development strategy and whether they are effectively utilizing their young talents.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is reportedly working on deals for Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund. Onana, the Inter Milan star, is expected to join United in the coming hours, and the club is hopeful of signing Hojlund, despite Atalanta turning down swap deals for the Denmark international.
As the summer transfer window continues, both clubs are actively reshaping their squads. For Barcelona, the potential return of Jurado could mark a significant homecoming, while Manchester United's focus seems to be on bringing in new talent to bolster their squad. Only time will tell how these moves will shape the future of both clubs.
