Manchester United are keen to bring in a young Barcelona defender as an early Sir Jim Ratcliffe signing – but there’s a problem
Cubarsi has impressed since making his first-team debut at the Catalan club earlier this season and won the Player of the Match award for his performance in Barça’s 3-1 win over Napoli in the Champions League last week – his first ever match in the competition.
The young defender’s current contract runs until 2026 and his release clause is understood to be around €10 million.
The Barcelona-based sports paper say United, Arsenal and Chelsea are all interested in the centre-back as well, with the Red Devils looking to make the teenager one of their first signings under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
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But Cubarsi is only 17 years old and Brexit rules mean Premier League clubs now have to wait until a player is 18 before they are allowed to make a signing from overseas.
Cubarsi does not turn 18 until January 22 next year, so Manchester United and other Premier League clubs would be unable to sign him until late in the winter window at the earliest.
That will be a relief for Barcelona, with the Catalan club having already reportedly opened negotiations with Cubarsi over a new deal, which would include a much higher release clause.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the new contract would come into effect when the player turns 18 and would see his release clause rise to an incredible €1 billion.
In any case, Cubarsi is a big Barcelona fan and seems unlikely to want to move at the moment, having taken his first steps with his boyhood club.
