{"id":12553,"date":"2025-11-03T19:22:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T19:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/03\/barcelona-hold-advantage-after-jim-ratcliffe-thwarts-shock-move-man-united-move-hurt\/"},"modified":"2025-11-03T19:22:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T19:22:27","slug":"barcelona-hold-advantage-after-jim-ratcliffe-thwarts-shock-move-man-united-move-hurt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/03\/barcelona-hold-advantage-after-jim-ratcliffe-thwarts-shock-move-man-united-move-hurt\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona hold advantage after Jim Ratcliffe thwarts shock move, Man United move hurt"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
Manchester United and Barcelona may go head-to-head over a new striker next year, but they won’t be the only clubs to hit the mark<\/h2>\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Manchester United know how much it will cost to sign Karl Etta Ayon<\/span>(Image: Cristian Trujillo\/Quality Sport Images\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
It has been claimed that Manchester United are the clear disadvantage in the race to sign Karl Etta Ayon. Barcelona could reportedly sign the Levante star for significantly less than the Red Devils, but the club currently have different release clauses for each buyer.<\/p>\n
Barcelona are said to be viewing Etta Eyon as Robert Lewandowski’s long-term successor, but Lewandowski’s own future in Catalonia is far from secure. Interestingly, United themselves were linked with Lewandowski, only for their hopes to be dashed by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.<\/p>\n
Lewandowski, 37, is out of contract next summer and there have been hints he could leave as Bar\u00e7a look to cut staff costs. However, United appear to be moving away from signing older players on big salaries after a history of high-stakes gambling.<\/p>\n
If he leaves, Barcelona will get a lot of goals as a substitute. The former Bayern Munich star has scored 105 goals in 156 appearances. Hansi Flick’s side have had their share of goals this season, with United loanee Marcus Rashford contributing to the depth up front, and Etta Eyon could add more goals next season.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old only joined Levante in the summer and scored his first La Liga goal for former club Villarreal last season. However, he got off to a good start with his new club, scoring five goals in seven league games.<\/p>\n
read more: Marcus Rashford’s actions speak volumes as Barcelona star returns to Manchester<\/span><\/span>read more: I worked at Manchester United – Ruben Amorim is right to ignore outside noise<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
According to Mundo Deportivo (via Football Espa\u00f1a), it would cost Barcelona \u00a326.4 million to sign Etta Eyon. However, for Premier League clubs, the magic number is set at \u00a335.2 million.<\/p>\n
Manchester City, Arsenal and Real Madrid are also claimed to be interested in the 22-year-old. However, Barca’s interest comes as the club could be looking at cheaper alternatives for flick target and Borussia Dortmund rising star Selhawe Guirassy.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Etta Eyon could replace Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona<\/span>(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Guirassi, 29, is expected to be available for just over \u00a357m. A relatively late bloomer, the Guinea international scored 28 goals in the Bundesliga in his final season with former club Stuttgart, and 21 last season with current club Dortmund, as well as scoring a competition-leading 13 goals in the Champions League.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, United could be in the market for attacking players in 2026 despite a busy summer. The signings of Brian Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesco will cost a total of around \u00a3200m, but United may feel the need for further reinforcements if they return to European competition.<\/p>\n
Funding for a new forward could come from the sales of Rashford and Rasmus Hj\u00f8lund. Both players have spent this season on loan at Barcelona and Napoli respectively, and could leave the club permanently next summer.<\/p>\n
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily Manchester United content from Mirror Football. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts<\/p>\n
\n
This article contains affiliate links and we receive a commission from any sales we generate from them. learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a343<\/p>\n
\u00a335<\/p>\n
sky<\/p>\n
Get the deal here<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025\/26 season, saving members \u00a3192 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from the Premier League, EFL and more.<\/p>\n
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Levante's](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36157672.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2243867482.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"barcelona's](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36157731.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_TOPSHOT-FBL-ESP-LIGA-BARCELONA-REAL-SOCIEDAD.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>![\"content](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article33374947.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
<\/div>\n