According to a report by Metro on Friday October 30, 2026, Manchester United have reportedly contacted Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to enquire about the availability of midfielders Fermin Lopez and Pablo Barrios as they continue searching for reinforcements for Michael Carrick's squad.

According to Spanish reports, United remain interested in adding another central midfielder despite spending heavily during the previous summer transfer window. The club invested approximately £155 million to sign Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba.

However, Manchester United's recruitment team believes further additions are necessary to strengthen the midfield department. Marca reports that the Premier League side is already exploring potential opportunities ahead of future transfer windows.

Transfer journalist Matteo Moretto revealed the club's interest while speaking on Marca's La Pizarra de Quintana programme. He explained that United had made enquiries about both players but had not entered formal negotiations with either club.

Moretto said: "They've inquired about both of them, there's no negotiation, just an enquiry." His comments suggest United are assessing their options rather than preparing immediate offers for the Spanish-based midfielders.

Despite United's interest, securing either player could prove extremely difficult. Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid consider the midfielders important members of their respective squads and are unlikely to approve their departures without compelling reasons.

Moretto explained that Barcelona regard Lopez as an important player, while Atletico Madrid view Barrios as indispensable to their plans. Consequently, Manchester United may need to identify alternative targets if their preferred options remain unavailable.

United reportedly held several meetings during their recent visit to Madrid for their Champions League encounter against Atletico. The trip provided an opportunity for club representatives to discuss potential transfer targets and explore possible future deals.

Lopez has played an important role in Barcelona's recent domestic success, helping the Catalan giants secure consecutive La Liga titles over the past two seasons. His performances have strengthened his reputation as a valuable midfield asset.

The 23-year-old was also expected to represent Spain at the summer World Cup but ultimately missed the tournament after suffering a foot fracture, disrupting his preparations and international ambitions.

Meanwhile, Barrios has established himself as a crucial component of Diego Simeone's midfield at Atletico Madrid. His performances have attracted attention from several clubs, including Chelsea, amid growing interest in his long-term future.

The midfielder particularly impressed against Manchester United earlier this month, scoring Atletico's opening goal during their 2-0 Champions League victory. His performance highlighted the qualities that have reportedly attracted United's recruitment team.

For now, Manchester United's interest remains at the enquiry stage, with no formal negotiations underway. The club must determine whether pursuing Lopez or Barrios is realistic or whether alternative midfield targets offer better opportunities.