Manchester United have joined the race to sign Barcelona wonderkid Dro Fernandez but are braced for a red-hot transfer battle with their bitter rivals to secure his signature, according to a report from Spain.
‘The next Iniesta’
Despite only being 17, Fernandez is already making waves at Camp Nou after bursting onto the scene during the club’s pre-season tour.
Capable of playing on the left wing or more centrally, the youngster possesses all the hallmarks of a Barcelona player, with excellent dribbling and close control.
Blaugrana manager Hansi Flick has been impressed by Fernandez’s progress, celebrating wildly when he scored a spectacular goal just nine minutes into his debut against Vissel Kobe in a friendly over the summer.
The Spanish starlet is on a specific training routine designed to improve his physicality, as his technical and tactical attributes are already outstanding for his age.
The clamour in Catalonia over Fernandez’s potential is such that the 17-year-old has drawn comparisons to legendary midfielder Andres Iniesta.
And it’s this rapid ascension which has put a number of clubs across Europe on red-alert to La Masia’s next superstar, including the Red Devils.
The battle amongst England’s elite
Spanish outlet Fichajes reveals United have “joined the race” for Fernandez, alongside Premier League rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.
“Dro Fernández , a young talent of just 17 years old, has become one of the most sought-after names in European football. A youth player at FC Barcelona , the player has shown remarkable form since his first appearances in preseason with FC Barcelona.
“Manchester United and Liverpool have joined the race to sign him, adding to the interest already shown by other clubs such as Manchester City and Chelsea . This attention reflects the young player’s potential, who is capable of becoming a significant player in the near future.”
The report notes United are “looking for young talent to strengthen its squad for the next decade” with INEOS having demonstrated a focus on securing outstanding prospects for the club’s Academy.
The raid on Arsenal for Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven, buttressed by the signings of Malian midfielder Sekou Kone, Paraguayan defender Diego Leon, and French attacking starlet Enzo Kana-Biyik, highlights the global approach at Old Trafford over the past year.
But the capture of a standout starlet from Barcelona’s famed production line of superstars could just be the best signing yet.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
