United “confident” of striking January deal for “one of the best wingers” in Europe, he is a “priority” for INEOS – report

Manchester United’s hopes of striking a blockbuster deal for Paris-Saint Germain winger Bradley Barcola have been unveiled in an explosive new report. A “Priority” at Old Trafford Barcola enjoyed the best campaign of his career last year as PSG won the treble under Luis Enrique’s watch — with the Spaniard’s side producing football that was as effective as it was electric en route to the historic triumph. The 23-year-old winger, who came through Lyon’s esteemed academy before joining PSG in 2023, was central to this success, returning an impressive 21 goals and 21 assists across 64 appearances. But Barcola’s role was primarily from the bench in the second half of the season after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was signed from Napoli in the January transfer window for €70 million. The France international is a versatile attacker, capable of playing on either wing, or through the middle as a centre-forward, given he stands 6’0 tall. And it’s this potent pairing — a reliable source of goals combined with being positional versatility — driving United’s interest in a player who may not feel as valued by his club as he did this time last year. Give Me Sport relays a report from Spain which reveals the Frenchman is a “priority” at Old Trafford in the January transfer window. Confidence in a deal United are described as “confident” in their ability to convince Barcola to swap Paris for Manchester — with a similar assuredness of reaching an agreement with the French champions on a transfer fee. The report contends the Red Devils “could make a formal attempt to sign [the winger] in the winter window” as they seek to ward off interest from rivals, both domestically and on the continent. Give Me Sport considers a swoop for a player with Barcola’s reputation as a “statement signing” for United and “one of the best pieces of business” INEOS have struck since taking the helm at Old Trafford last year.  Initially, it was thought United would conduct a quiet January transfer window, with a loan signing in to bolster the midfield considered the only realistic prospect. But this illusion was shattered by the pursuit of Antoine Semenyo, with the club prepared to trigger the £65m release clause in the AFC Bournemouth talisman’s contract. Amorim is infatuated by the 25-year-old winger and United previously came close to signing him in the summer after an impressive season on the south coast for the Cherries. Antoine Semenyo 24/25 stats CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsMinutes Premier League371163210 FA Cup421330 EFL Cup1–22 Total421373562 Ultimately, the Ghana international rebuffed their latest advances in favour of their local rival, Manchester City. But the point remains: United have money to spend — and were willing to invest it on an outstanding winger. Semenyo produced a combined total of 20 goals and assists least season; Barcola returned 42 by comparison. If INEOS were willing to spend £65m on the former, it should be a no-brainer to turn around and immediately table that for the latter when the January window opens next week. Featured image Stuart Franklin via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.