Manchester United are showing serious interest in Barcelona teenager Carles Alena, according to the Sun.
The report claims the 18-year-old midfielder is currently in discussions with Barcelona over a new lucrative contract, but Jose Mourinho will try to convince the talented teenager to join United on a free transfer next summer.
Alena, who’s been dubbed as the “next Andres Iniesta”, is reportedly rated very highly at Camp Nou and the Spanish champions are keen to secure the midfielder’s long-term future with a four-year contract that would also include a £36m release clause.
The Spain Under-19 captain has been a regular starter for Barcelona’s reserves in the third tier of Spanish football and the process of his integration into the club’s first-team has already begun.
Alena was on the bench for Barcelona in their 0-0 draw with Malaga last weekend and is expected to feature in the Catalans’ Copa del Rey clash with Hercules next week.
However, the creative midfielder could leave on a free transfer next summer, as his current contract is due to expire at the end of June.
Barcelona are surely going to do everything possible to keep the talent at Camp Nou, but history isn’t on their side.
Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin all left Barcelona as teenagers for English clubs and Alena could decide to follow in their footsteps if he thinks he’d have a bigger chance of playing regular first-team football elsewhere.
