Bayern Munich to rival Barcelona for Man United's Bruno Fernandes

Barcelona have just ceded their La Liga title to their eternal rivals Real Madrid and will be looking to improve their squad's quality ready for next season.

The Catalan club are nearly twenty points adrift of Real and tonight face Almeria in their penultimate match of the campaign with the runners-up spot the best they can hope for.

Finishing second though - especially behind Madrid of course - is never good enough for Barcelona and their hugely passionate support.

As always with a club of Barca's size and status in the European game, the Catalans are always going to be associated with moves for major stars across the continent with the season winding down and as the summer transfer window nears opening.

Bayern Munich to rival Barcelona for Man United's Bruno Fernandes

One player who has been strongly linked with a move to Spain is United's Portugal international attacker Bruno Fernandes, although financial problems at the Camp Nou could sabotage any deal.

Fernandes has been one of the few shining lights for the Premier League giants in what has been a severely testing and wildly inconsistent campaign.

As United have floundered week after week, the 29-year-old has been a pretty consistently productive attacking threat notching ten goals in the Premier League with eight assists too.

The future of the Old Trafford club is very uncertain with a new majority shareholder in James Ratcliffe and the latest manager to try and turn the club around, Eric Ten Hag, under massive pressure and potentially facing the sack this summer.

For the twenty times Premier League champions to finish outside the main European places and possibly without a trophy - although they could still win the FA Cup if they can somehow beat their rampant neighbours City - is very much an unacceptable end.

Whatever exactly happens at United this summer it seems certain that even if Ten Hag survives, there will be considerable change in the first-team squad.

Several of United players such as Marcus Rashford, are apparently available for transfer if the right fee comes in for them.

Fernandes name was potentially among them and given his age and potential transfer value it is quite possible that the club could decide to cash in on him with Bayern Munich now also said to be keen.

However, Ten Hag has come out and said Fernandes won't be up for sale this summer and that he wants to stay so that would appear to be the end of it.

But, as we all know football is a funny old game and things can change very quickly, especially if the Dutch manager leaves.

So, while United seem to be ready to keep hold of him at the moment that won't stop the rumour mill from churning. Could he still be the Catalans first big signing of the summer?