Man Utd submit formal loan offer for Marcos Alonso but face potential obstacle

Manchester United are pushing on multiple fronts to sign a new left-back and have now submitted a formal proposal to Barcelona for Marcos Alonso, according to reports.

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The Red Devils want to bring in emergency cover after Luke Shaw was ruled out until November with a muscular injury, while back-up left-back Tyrell Malacia is also sidelined for a similar period.

United are currently exploring a host of options before the transfer window closes on Thursday, with the talks believed to be progressing over a deal for Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella.

He is not the only left-back being considered, with Brentford’s Rico Henry and Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon also on United’s shortlist – though the latter appears to be closer to a move to Fulham.

A move for Alonso may be the deal that is advancing quickest, with Catalan newspaper Sport reporting that United have formalised their interest in Alonso with an offer to Barcelona.

The Spanish champions are willing to offload the 32-year-old and are themselves working on a deal to sign Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo, who can also provide cover at left-back to compensate for the Spaniard’s potential exit.

There are differing reports over the nature of United’s offer for Alonso, with Sport suggesting it will just be a straight loan for the 2023-24 season.

However, Alonso is out of contract next summer and Marca are suggesting United could offer him a two-year deal; he would sign on an initial loan before the move then turns into a free transfer in a year’s time.

There had been suggestions the former Chelsea player was reluctant to move back to the Premier League, but he is said to be considering the proposal – particularly if he does not feature at all in Xavi’s plans.

There is a potential complication, however, with Alonso also wanted by other clubs – most notably Atletico Madrid.

That could be of particular significance because Barcelona are eager to try and sign Joao Felix and Alonso could be used as a makeweight in a potential swap deal.

While the left-back may be considering a move to Old Trafford, his preference would be to remain in Spain and that would appear to give Atletico the upper hand should they too formalise their interest with a concrete proposal.

For now, United are still progressing on a host of fronts – with talks for Cucurella, Reguilon and others continuing – and will look to tee up several deals before pulling the trigger on one on the say so of manager Erik ten Hag.

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