Barcelona and Manchester United targeted by transfer negotiations of 45 million pounds

Liverpool and Manchester United were penalized for signing Junior Firpo after Barcelona began talks with Real Betis about a move for the left-back.

The two rivals in the Premier League would be delighted to sign the defender this summer after impressing Spain as they won the Under 21 European Championships in Italy.

Barca, too, is close to 23-year-old and thinks he could be a quality substitute for high-end left-back Jordi Alba.

Marca said the La Liga heavyweights had begun talks with their divisional rivals about an agreement that would allow them to pay less than Firpo's € 50 million release clause.

The Betis are awaiting the departure of their defender this summer and have already signed a possible replacement to Alfonso Pedraza, loaned by Villareal.

Barcelona wants to add a competent deputy to Alba, who has been without a name since the departure of Lucas Digne to join Everton last summer.

The Spaniards had apparently considered trying their luck for Filipe Luis, a free agent after leaving Atletico Madrid, but that deal had failed due to concerns about the 34-year-old's ability to hold a season .

The director, Ernesto Valverde, then turned to Firpo and it is believed that the 23-year-old could prove to be Alba's long-term successor.

The news of the opening of negotiations between Barcelona and Betis about a deal with the back will be a blow to Liverpool and United, who hoped to sign themselves young hopefuls.

Jurgen Klopp's men had hoped to use Firpo as a replacement for Andy Robertson, without the Reds having a second choice after Alberto Moreno's departure this summer.

The Red Devils, meanwhile, thought the 23-year-old could offer serious competition to England international Luke Shaw in the left-back during the upcoming season.