Manchester United contact Barcelona over Sergino Dest, Manchester City identify Marc Cucurella alternative – Paper Round

Ten Hag eyes another (ex-)Ajax reunion at Old Trafford Manchester United are hoping to strengthen at right-back and have enquired for Barcelona defender Sergino Dest, according to Spanish media outlet Sport. The 21-year-old has struggled for consistent games at the Camp Nou since joining back in 2020 and his future at Barca remains “uncertain”. The Blaugrana are linked with Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta, which could open the door to Dest’s exit.

Barca would demand at least €20 million and United boss Erik ten Hag is a fan of the former Ajax right-back. Ad/> /> Transfers'Amazing to finally be here' — Leno completes move from Arsenal to Fulham2 HOURS AGO Paper Round’s view: It could be another reunion in Manchester. United have already signed Lisandro Martinez from Ajax and have previously been linked with the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Brian Brobbey and Jurrien Timber, who have all spent time at or are still at the Amsterdam club.

Knowing a player personally obviously helps when identifying transfer targets, but United will be in trouble if things don’t work out with Ten Hag. The Manchester club are really putting all their eggs in the Ten Hag basket in the summer transfer window. Read the full story Man City identify Cucurella alternative Manchester City have ended their pursuit of Brighton defender Marc Cucurella and have enquired after Anderlecht left-back Sergio Gomez.

The Premier League champions were in pole position to sign Cucurella but were put off by Brighton’s £50-million asking price and now Chelsea have hijacked the transfer. City are now chasing Gomez in an attempt to strengthen at full-back after allowing Oleksandr Zinchenko leave for Arsenal earlier in the summer transfer window. /> Paper Round’s view: