Rumour: Manchester United miss out on Marco Reus as German star nears Barcelona switch

Marco Reus in action for the German national team

Manchester United have been dealt a major blow in their transfer hopes for the summer according to the Daily Star, as key target Marco Reus has neared even closer to a move to Barcelona instead.

New manager Louis van Gaal had made Reus one of his number Man United one targets for his rebuilding of the underachieving former champions, as he looks to turn around their fortunes and re-establish the Red Devils as a force in English football again.

Reus had remained coy on the possibility of leaving Borussia Dortmund over the course of the close season having had his World Cup dream ruined by an ankle injury sustained in Germany’s friendly against Armenia, with United believed to have been leading the chase for his signature.

The German international had previously suggested he would only be prepared to leave the comfort of Signal Iduna Park for Barcelona and it is now believed that a deal is in place for Reus to move to Camp Nou in a £28million transfer.

The news does, however, arise fresh doubt over the futures of both Alexis Sanchez and Pedro, with both players already considering their future at Barcelona after finding their roles restricted over the course of the season.

For while Reus now looks set to complete his move to the Catalan club, dashing United’s hopes of signing him themselves, it could potentially free up the want-away pair, with United having already been linked with both Sanchez and Pedro in recent weeks, to provide a silver lining.