According to reports from Tom Garry, Manchester United’s Ona Batlle could be a Barcelona player by the summer. The versatile right-back has been widely praised for her contribution to the Red Devils’ success this season, and that’s seemingly attracted the attention of the Blaugrana.
The 23-year-old signed a two year contract at Leigh Sports Village, joining the side ahead of the 2020/21 season. Despite having extended that deal by an additional year, her contract will expire this summer and the Spanish international now looks set to leave on a free transfer.
Throughout her three-year stint in the north of England, Batlle has featured 78 times for Manchester United – and is set to make her final appearance against Liverpool on Saturday. She was named as the club’s Women’s Player of the Year in her debut season, and was included in the PFA Team of the Year at the end of the next league campaign.
There are no doubts about Batlle’s ability, and she is sure to perform well if she makes the move to link up with the Blaugrana. However, the rumoured move does raise questions as to where she’ll fit into Jonatan Giráldez’s starting eleven – as England’s Lucy Bronze has made the right-back spot her own.
Batlle is also adept on the left side of defence, though Fridolina Rolfö seems to be the preferred choice in that position. In fact, Barcelona have an abundance of wide defenders – with Mapi Leon able to fill in on the left flank if needed, despite usually featuring in a central role.
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