Manchester United’s potential surprise move to acquire Ross Barkley from Luton this summer has caught attention, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly leading the pursuit.
The Sun has linked Barkley to United, citing Ratcliffe’s previous admiration for the player during his time at Nice.
During Barkley’s stint with the French club, reports indicated Ratcliffe’s influence in urging manager Lucien Favre to increase Barkley’s playing time in Ligue 1 matches.
United’s interest in Barkley is said to be part of their midfield reinforcement plans, considering potential departures like Casemiro and Sofyan Amrabat’s return to Fiorentina.
Barkley’s acquisition may not pose a significant financial hurdle for United, especially if Luton faces relegation and seeks to offload players.
Barkley’s current season statistics reflect his importance to Luton’s relegation battle, with 20 Premier League appearances, three goals, and three assists.
The team’s position, currently 18th in the league and just one point behind Everton, underscores Barkley’s pivotal role.
Luton’s immediate focus shifts to the FA Cup fifth-round clash against Manchester City midweek, followed by a Premier League encounter with Aston Villa next weekend.