Manchester United star Ona Batlle 'very close' to Barcelona switch

Manchester United defender Ona Batlle is reportedly 'very close' to joining Catalan giants Barcelona this summer.

Batlle joined United from Spanish side Levante in 2020 and has since gone on to make 74 appearances for the Reds in all competitions. The right-back has enjoyed a stellar campaign for Marc Skinner's side and features among the nominees for the Women's Super League Player of the Season.

However, despite United having qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club's history, Batlle looks set to make the switch to Barcelona, where she came through the ranks as a youngster. Earlier this week, The Telegraph reported it was 'quite likely' the 23-year-old would become a Barcelona player when her contract expires at the end of the season.

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And on Wednesday, Spanish outlet SPORT claimed 'a full agreement' had been reached and that 'only signatures are missing'.

The Spain international is not the only United player who could depart Leigh Sports Village this summer, with striker Alessia Russo also set to be out of contract in just over a month's time. Russo, who was the subject of a world-record bid from fellow WSL side Arsenal in January, has scored 10 goals in 19 WSL appearances for the Reds this term and has attracted interest from a host of top European clubs.

Reflecting on the possibility of Russo and Batlle penning new deals after United's last-gasp win over Manchester City, manager Skinner said: "We hope they'll stay, of course. But if they're here we'll be great and if they're not here we'll be great.

"That's the defiance in me and this club. Not one player will make a Manchester United team."

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