Manchester United agree deal for Barcelona defender

As mentioned here a few weeks ago, Manchester United appear to be in pole position to sign prized (?) Barcelona academy wunderkind (?) Marc Jurado.

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Jurado, who became eligible for a professional contract in April after he turned 16, was offered “a three-year deal, worth €60,000 annually in the first year rising to €100,000 by the third year of the contract, in addition to a €200,000 bonus if he made his debut for the Barcelona B team in that time”.

Reports out of Spain are suggesting the academy player has turned down the offer for an opportunity to play at Manchester United.

With his non-professional terms with Barça expiring this summer, Manchester United will only have to pay a small amount of compensation in development rights, which one source says is likely to be less than €200,000.

This isn’t the first time United have signed a prized academy player away from Barcelona. Gerard Pique, who was also a graduate of La Masia, signed with Manchester United in 2004 at age 17.

Barcelona viewed Jurado as a key part of their future plans, meaning his potential move to United will come as a major blow for the financially “struggling” team.

To learn more about Jurado, check out this highlight video of him on YouTube.

[Editor’s Note: We asked one of our colleagues at Barca Blaugranes about Jurado, and received the following response: “Gotta be honest, I have no idea who he is.” Sounds promising!]