Barcelona consider summer approach for Ella Toone - report

Barcelona could test Manchester United's resolve to keep home-grown hero Ella Toone this summer following a report of transfer interest in the England international.

Toone spearheaded United's FA Cup final victory last weekend by opening the scoring at Wembley with a stunning strike from 25 yards. She has previously shown her big-game credentials with the Lionesses, the only English player in history, male or female, to score quarter-final, semi-final and final goals at major tournaments across Euro 2022 and last summer's World Cup.

That has seemingly caught the eye of Barcelona, with Kathryn Batte of the Daily Mail reporting that the Catalans are considering an approach at the end of the season. That hasn't happened yet and there are a number of factors that could influence things – including the need to pay a "significant transfer fee" given that Toone has two years left on the long-term contract she signed in 2022.

Barcelona may also need to consider the financial implications as they prepare to tie Alexia Putellas to a new deal, with talks over new terms for Lucy Bronze also thought to be taking place. On the other side of that argument is Mariona Caldentey, heavily linked with Arsenal, set to leave and potentially creating room for new attacking signings ahead of next season.

Toone wouldn't be alone as an English player in Barcelona. In addition to the aforementioned Bronze, Keira Walsh made what was then a world record switch in the wake of winning Euro 2022. But she might need to consider starting much fewer games amid competition for places. And while it would virtually guarantee collecting silverware and present a genuine chance of winning the Champions League, Aitana Bonmati also recently referenced the lack of competitiveness in Liga F.

It could be the opportunity of a lifetime, especially when Manchester United remain in the infancy of a new project after a transitional 2023/24 campaign. But, as a self-confessed home bird who has never strayed every far from the Wigan town in which she grew up, there would be massive upheaval.

Even at the age of 24, Toone has firmly established herself a Manchester United legend and one of the faces of the wider club. Already in 2024, she has become the first player in the reformed women's team's short history to reach 150 appearances and 50 goals.

Her profile away from the pitch is growing rapidly too, embarking on a journey towards becoming the 'influencer footballer', active on social media, launching her own YouTube channel and now the new star of a BBC podcast alongside best friend and former team-mate Alessia Russo.

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