Man Utd 'saw £130m bid for Barcelona wonderkid Fati rejected last summer'

Manchester United saw a sensational bid worth £130million for Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati rejected last summer, according to reports.

The 18-year-old burst spectacularly into the first-team at the Nou Camp last season, scoring eight goals in 33 appearances - and has since attracted big-name interest.

Mundo Deportivo have now claimed Fati's eye-catching displays saw United stump up the eye-watering package.

The offer was promptly rejected by former Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu, however, with the club unsurprisingly not willing to offload their brightest talent.

United's audacious swoop came with the LaLiga giants in the midst of a financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, despite their woes on and off the field, Barcelona did not want to do business.

Fati's price tag would have seen the teen sensation become the third most expensive player of all time, behind PSG's star-studded duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

The forward has also previously been widely linked to United by several different publications in Spain.

Sport reported in November that United's advances for Fati were turned down after their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund wideman Jadon Sancho fell short.

Mundo Deportivo added that Pedri and Francisco Trincao were also the subject of bids last summer - although both were rebuffed by Barcelona.

It is believed the two prodigies, and Fati, are viewed as being an integral part of the future of the club.

Barcelona's misery this season was compounded by a knee injury picked up by Fati. The budding talent required knee surgery and has been ruled out for several months.

His last appearance came in the 5-2 win against Real Betis on November 7 - although his club were hopeful he would have returned to training by the end of January.

Fati enjoyed a flying start to the campaign, having scored five goals in 12 appearances - including an effort against Real Madrid.