Manchester United have expressed an interest in versatile Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto and are willing to make an opening offer of €40m (£36.2m), reports Mundo Deportivo.
Barcelona rejected an offer from Manchester City 12 months ago and are adamant the Spain international is not for sale this summer, although Nelson Semedo’s arrival from Benfica will limit his first-team opportunities at right back.
With Ernesto Valverde set to use some of the £193m made from Neymar’s departure, Roberto may also find it difficult to get game time in midfield and Jose Mourinho is ready to pounce for the 25-year-old.
The United manager has given the green light for Timothy Fosu-Mensah to join Crystal Palace on a season-long loan deal and that could leave him short of options at right-back with Antonio Valencia the only recognised right-back in the squad.
Chelsea are also interested in the Barcelona academy graduate as Antonio Conte demands more signings before the transfer window shuts, although Roberto is a devoted Barcelona fan and it will be difficult for any side to prize him away from the Camp Nou.
Roberto started 26 matches in La Liga last season, which was his best ever return in a Barcelona shirt. In fact, only Barcelona’s MSN registered more league assists than the Spaniard last season (6).
