United Eye Oyarzabal as Ratcliffe Explores Rashford Barcelona Exit Strategy

Manchester United are weighing up a move for Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal, with the Spanish forward firmly on the club's list of targets for the coming transfer windows.

The Old Trafford outfit splashed out more than £200m on fresh faces last summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group attempted to provide Ruben Amorim with the backing he needed. That plan fell apart spectacularly when the Portuguese boss was shown the door just 14 months into his tenure, leaving Michael Carrick holding the fort in a caretaker capacity.

United's summer recruitment drive focused heavily on bolstering the attacking department, with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko all arriving at considerable expense. The investment has borne fruit in terms of output, a marked improvement on the paltry return from Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who managed just five Premier League goals between them this season.

Yet the hierarchy are already plotting their next moves in the transfer market, keen to add further firepower to their ranks.

Oyarzabal, a 28-year-old with 22 international caps and 12 goals in 51 appearances for Spain, has caught United's attention following an impressive campaign that's yielded 12 goals and seven assists across 23 outings at club and country level. The Real Sociedad man carries a €75m release clause and has long been on United's radar, according to reports.

The Red Devils' scouting operation got a two-for-one viewing last weekend when officials travelled to San Sebastián to monitor Barcelona's La Liga fixture against Real Sociedad. That trip afforded them the chance to cast an eye over both Oyarzabal and, intriguingly, Marcus Rashford—who emerged from the bench to net Barcelona's sole goal in a 2-1 defeat.

Those watching brief on Rashford has apparently extended to the negotiating table. Word suggests United have engaged in preliminary discussions about the possibility of bringing the England international back to Old Trafford when his loan spell in Catalonia concludes. The exact parameters of these conversations remain murky.

Barcelona's financial situation has prompted speculation about their ability to meet Rashford's €30m buyout clause alongside his current wage package, yet there's reportedly a strong appetite from within the club to retain him. Spanish outlet Marca has indicated confidence that the Catalan side will exercise their purchase option, valued at £26million, come the season's end—particularly after being impressed by Rashford's impact off the bench against Sociedad.