Manchester United and Chelsea are weighing up moves for Real Sociedad star Ander Barrenetxea this summer, in accordance with reports in Spain.
Barrenetxea has established himself as a mainstay in Sociedad’s first-team having risen through the academy ranks to make his senior debut as a 16-year-old back in 2018.
In that point, Barrenetxea, now aged 24, has made a complete of 233 appearances in all competitions while racking up 28 goals and 18 assists for his boyhood side.
In just his second season with the first-team, the left winger played an integral role as Sociedad won the Copa del Rey – and he lifted the trophy again this term as Pellegrino Matarazzo’s men defeated Atletico Madrid in an exciting final.
It was Barrenetxea’s stunning header that opened the scoring just 14 seconds into last month’s showpiece, the fastest-ever goal in a Copa del Rey final, with Sociedad eventually prevailing via a nerve-jangling penalty shootout.
Barrenetxea’s outstanding displays earned him a primary Spain call-up back in March and there are calls for the attacker to be included in Luis de la Fuente’s World Cup squad this summer, a scenario not many would have envisaged in the beginning of the season.
In line with Spanish newspaper Marca, Barrenetxea’s form ‘has not gone unnoticed’ and his high level of performance has ‘left its mark’ on the transfer market.
It’s claimed Manchester United and Chelsea have added the diminutive forward to their shortlists of potential signings for the summer – and each have been ‘closely monitoring’ his progress throughout the campaign.
The report adds that Barrenetxea is viewed as a profile who would ‘fit the bill’ for the projects at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, with the 2 English giants desperate to bolster their squads in preparation for the brand new season.
Alexander Isak, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi have all departed Sociedad for substantial fees in recent times and there’s a sense that Barrenetxea may very well be the following player to maneuver on to greater and higher things.
The Spaniard’s current contract in San Sebastian runs through to June 2030.
Earlier this week, Barrenetxea was officially recognised by Guinness World Records for the lightning-fast goal he scored against Ateltico Madrid within the 2026 Copa del Rey final.
The Spain international proudly posed for an image holding the framed certificate, together with the remaining of his Sociedad team-mates.
Sociedad currently sit eighth in La Liga with three games remaining of their campaign, starting with a visit to Girona on Thursday night.
Matarazzo’s men follow that up with a clash at home to Valencia beforewinding up the season away at struggling Espanyol.
The club’s Copa del Rey conquer Atleti last month guaranteed Europa League qualification with seven games to spare.
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