Manchester United 'make £8.4m contract offer' for Barcelona star and more transfer rumours

Manchester United have offered Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo a contract worth £8.4million-a-year in a bid to lure to him to Old Trafford.

That is according to a report by Spanish journalist Dario Montero, speaking to TV channel El Chiringuito, as cited by Sports Mole, who claims United have stepped up their efforts to sign the highly-rated Uruguayan international.

The centre-back, who is 22, is out-of-contract at Barcelona in the summer of 2023 and is yet to commit his future to the Spanish giants, meaning he could be available in a cut-price deal this coming summer.

United, along with Chelsea and arch rivals Manchester City, have been credited with interest in his services and recent reports elsewhere have claimed that the Reds have been looking to steal a march in the race to win his signature.

It has been reported that United are weighing up a 'big offer' to tempt Barcelona into selling him and that they have already put a bumper contract offer on the table for the former Boston River man, who is continuing to go from strength-to-strength for the La Liga heavyweights.

Furthermore, Montero has reported that Barcelona would not be able to match the £8.4million contract that United are reported to have offered, meaning it could be enough to help the Reds secure his signature.

Since joining Barcelona, Araujo, who will turn 23 next month, has made 64 appearances for the club, netting five goals.

Meanwhile, the representatives of Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele are locked in discussions with United about the prospect of the Frenchman joining them this summer, a report by Sport claims.

The former Borussia Dortmund man, who has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford for several years, is currently at the