Manchester United will not be able to sign Barcelona star Marc Bernal. The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for a new midfielder this summer after adding two players to their ranks.
Andrey Santos has completed a £50million transfer from Chelsea to join United, while Youri Tielemans has also arrived after the Reds agreed to pay the £35m release clause in the midfielder’s contract at Aston Villa. It remains to be seen if United will sign another midfielder before the transfer window closes, with Bernal’s name one of several to be mentioned on the rumour mill over the last few months.
Bernal makes decision on his future
Now, there has been an update on the 19-year-old’s future at the Camp Nou with Barcelona’s stance evidently clear. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report that Bernal has made up his mind to stay at Barcelona this summer, despite the reported interest from United.
According to the report, United are not alone in their admiration for Bernal, with Chelsea and Arsenal also said to have registered their interest, alongside Serie A side Roma and Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr. Nevertheless, the report makes clear that Barcelona never had any intention of letting Bernal depart this summer, with the 19-year-old midfielder said to have 'absolute loyalty' to the La Liga giants.
Release clause makes departure unlikely
This effectively delivers a firm message to United and the club's footballing department that any potential deal is simply off the table. Bernal is said to have a €500m (£427.5m) release clause written into his Barcelona contract, making a departure from the Camp Nou virtually unthinkable unless the La Liga giants were willing to accept a considerably lower fee.
Barcelona afforded Bernal a significantly greater role last season, with the player making 22 appearances in La Liga as the club beat fierce rivals Real Madrid to claim the Spanish top-flight title. He also featured six times in the Champions League during that campaign, chipping in with one goal, which came against Newcastle United in the last-16.
United's transfer window continues
United have until September 1 to complete their transfer business for the summer, with a new midfielder still being mentioned on the rumour mill, despite the arrivals of Santos and Tielemans. It remains to be seen what business United will complete in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, with Michael Carrick currently working with the squad during pre-season training.
