John Murtough and Matt Hargreaves from Manchester United traveled to Barcelona for a regular meeting on Monday. According to sources, the purpose of the trip was to meet with sporting directors and agents to gather information about the transfer market for the upcoming summer window. The meetings were described as general and nothing out of the ordinary. Murtough went to Barcelona last season outside of the transfer window and also had meetings with sporting directors at Juventus and AC Milan. Frank Trimboli, the head of football at Base Soccer agency, and Spain-based Base agent Federico Massai joined Murtough and Hargreaves during these meetings. Massai lives in Madrid. In the summer of 2022, United tried to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona for €85million but could not overcome the obstacle of his wage deferrals. Read more: United may be able to follow Rangnick’s advice in the transfer market. United is still keeping an eye on the Everton duo in anticipation of the upcoming transfer window. In July 2022, there was a recording in Barcelona featuring Murtough and United’s then-chief executive Richard Arnold, with the intention of pushing for a transfer for De Jong. United did not make an offer to De Jong last year. It is uncertain whether Murtough will take on a different administrative position or depart following the recruitment of Dan Ashworth by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford of Ineos. Murtough continues to attend United games and play a key role in the club’s recruitment strategy for the upcoming summer transfer window. According to a source familiar with Hargreaves, he has been working to improve United’s reputation in the transfer market through his dealings.
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