Manchester United Plan To Block Star Forward’s Move To Barcelona In January. Here's Why

Manchester United are reportedly planning to block Edinson Cavani’s move to FC Barcelona in the 2022 summer window.

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Cavani to sign the forward for a season and a half. However, Manchester United have no intention of letting Cavani leave in January for free as the Uruguayan striker has six months left on his current deal, reported Spanish publication SPORT.

Considering the second part of the 2021-22 campaign is going to be a long one amid COVID-19 scares, the Old Trafford side wants as many players as possible available, according to Daily Mail.

Cavani, who has entered the twilight of his career, wants to play for Barcelona and La Liga before calling it quits despite receiving offers from Italy and Brazil.

The 34-year-old is looking for more game time, something that he isn’t getting at Manchester United. He missed 11 games due to a tendon issue but the Uruguay national had already lost his place as the club’s regular starter after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. Cavani has so far played only eight competitive matches for the Red Devils in 2021-22.

However, it is understood that Barcelona, struggling with a massive financial crisis, are looking to secure Cavani without paying any transfer fee. On the other hand, Manchester United are interested in selling Anthony Martial, who would actually fetch them some funds.

It has been reported that La Liga side Atletico Madrid are interested in doing an exchange deal with the Red Devils that would see Martial move to Wanda Metropolitano.

The Catalans are looking for an immediate replacement for Sergio Aguero, who was earlier forced to announce retirement from professional soccer due to a heart condition.

It was earlier reported that while Barcelona were looking at Erling Haaland as Aguero’s replacement, the La Liga club could withdraw from the race due to the conditions of Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola. In order to sign Haaland, Barcelona have been asked to sign three other clients of Raiola, including Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

With Haaland’s case nearly done and dusted for Barcelona, the Catalan club are desperate to land Cavani on a free transfer.