Update: Manchester United start negotiations for Barcelona left-back

Just hours after reports came in from England stating that Manchester United are interested in signing Barcelona left-back Marcos Alonso, there has already been a big development in this pursuit.

According to the German transfer journalist Christian Falk, the Red Devils have already made contact with Barcelona and are beginning to negotiate a move for the Spaniard.

Alonso has just been named in the starting lineup for Barcelona’s clash against Villarreal, and was only registered yesterday while all this buzz surrounds him.

Alonso does not want to leave

As reported earlier today, Alonso’s future has been up in the air despite constant assurance from the club and the player’s entourage that he wishes to continue at Barcelona.

The club have previously hinted that they are happy with his professionalism this season and that he is counted on as an option to add depth, while Alonso himself wants to fight for a starting spot.

With the recent injury to Luke Shaw, which could sideline him for quite some time, United are trying to make sure they find a cover for the Englishman towards the tail end of this window.

However, there have also been sensations within Barcelona that if an offer were to come in, Alonso is far from untransferrable.

Given his age and Barcelona’s necessity to raise money and alleviate pressure off the wage bill, any money that Alonso’s sale can generate is a huge bonus, considering the Catalans are also aiming for a couple of final moves in the market.

Spanish journalist Moi Llorens, though, reports that Alonso has no intention of leaving Barcelona and is intent on continuing his pursuit of a starting spot.

If offers arrive this week, negotiations between Barcelona and Alonso may prove difficult as a result, but the time is ticking.