Manchester United 'leading the chase' to sign Barcelona star and more transfer rumours

Manchester United are 'leading the chase' to sign highly-rated Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo.

That is according to a report by Spanish newspaper Marca, who claim that United are working on a deal to sign the Uruguay international and have a 'large investment' in the works.

The defender, who joined Barcelona B from Boston River in 2018, before making the step up to the Spanish giants' first-team squad a year later, is being heavily linked with a whole host of clubs, including several in the Premier League, and United are reportedly heading up the chase to secure his signature.

Furthermore, the report states that United are currently 'bidding the strongest' to secure the 22-year-old's signature, despite apparent interest from Chelsea and cross-city rivals Manchester City.

Out-of-contract at the La Liga club in the summer of 2023, meaning he is now in the final 18 months of his current deal, Araujo could be snapped up in a cut-price deal if he does not put pen to paper on a new deal at the Camp Nou.

United are likely to be in pursuit of a new centre-back in the next year or two and the Uruguayan international could be the ideal choice to become a star for the future.

Since joining Barcelona, Araujo, who turns 23-years-old in March, has made 63 first-team appearances for the club, chipping in with four goals.

Meanwhile, United hold a 'strong interest' in signing Roma and Italy winger Nicolo Zaniolo, a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato claims.

The 22-year-old, formerly of Inter Milan, has been producing a string of fine performances for Roma this season and his showings have not gone unnoticed by United.

Zaniolo has plans to become a key member of Jose Mourinho's squad in the Italian capital and has