Manchester United may need to spend on a new left-sided centre back this summer but a raid on Barcelona is now looking a little difficult.
Left-sided centre backs have become crucial to defences throughout the game and United have a top-quality one.
Lisandro Martinez is an outstanding defender and possesses ability on the ball that few United defenders can match.
The problem is that Martinez has managed just seven Premier League starts this season having endured injury woes.
Martinez’s frustrating campaign leaves United in need of another left-footed centre back this summer.
Perhaps United will spend big on Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, who is considered to be a top target for Ineos this summer.
United may need some cheaper options in mind though and one long-term Ineos target has been on the radar for that role.
Mikayil Faye appears to commit to Barcelona
Reports in March suggested that United have shown a real interest in signing Barcelona defender Mikayil Faye.
The Senegalese talent joined Barcelona from NK Kustosija last summer but has spent the campaign with Barca’s B team.
United seemingly see potential in Faye, who has been hailed as a ‘very explosive’ having shown talent in both Croatia and Spain.
Many have wondered just when Faye would make his first-team debut with the 19-year-old so far overlooked.
Faye has only been on the first-team bench three times this season and he has now taken to social media to send a message.
Posting on his Instagram story, Faye uploaded a photo of himself kissing the Barcelona badge.
The photo was accompanied by a message with Faye seemingly preaching patience over his Barcelona career.
‘Patience is to calmly accept that things come at a different time than you expected,’ said Faye, seemingly confirming that he is ready to wait it out for his chance in Catalunya.
Ineos could miss out on Faye again
That sounds like the teenager doesn’t have any plans to move on and United may need to forget about a move for Faye this summer.
Capable of playing at left back and centre back, Faye’s profile certainly makes sense for United.
It now looks like Ineos will miss out on Faye again though, even if he remains on the wish list for the long term.
Reports suggest that Nice – another one of the clubs Ineos control – tried to sign Faye for £13million in January.
Barcelona rejected that bid and Nice couldn’t get the deal done, with Ineos potentially bringing that interest over to Old Trafford.
It now looks unlikely that Faye will be on the move this summer but we would not be surprised to see United make a real push for his signature in the future.