Manchester United have enquired about two LaLiga stars who have also been associated with possible transfers to Chelsea as they seek to address the "many issues" in their squad.

The Red Devils have endured a torrid start to the season, leaving head coach Michael Carrick fighting for his job. The 45-year-old has been given another chance to turn things around, with Man Utd set to face Chelsea on Saturday.

But these two Premier League heavyweights aren't just going head-to-head on the pitch. As it turns out, they could also be on a collision course in the transfer market. Both are expected to be very busy in 2027, with moves potentially being made as early as January.

In recent days, Chelsea have once again been linked with Barcelona star Fermin Lopez. The Blues made a bid to sign him in the summer of 2025, but their offer was rebuffed out of hand by the Blaugrana.

Links have flared up again at various times since, despite the fact that Fermin has signed a new long-term contract. This week, it was claimed that the Stamford Bridge side were considering making a "massive bid" for him.

Man Utd join Fermin, Barrios race

In addition to the Barcelona star, Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios is frequently associated with a Premier League transfer. There have been tentative links with Chelsea in recent months, but a deal has always appeared unlikely.

The 23-year-old is eminently important to Atletico Madrid, but he frequently struggles with muscular injuries. The fact that he is never reliably available makes a major transfer doubtful.

Nevertheless, there is concrete interest - and not just from Chelsea. Transfer insider Matteo Moretto, who works with Fabrizio Romano and Spanish outlet MARCA, has revealed that Man Utd have also enquired about Barrios and Fermin.

Speaking on Radio MARCA, Moretto explained that the Red Devils used their recent Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid to gather information on the two Spanish midfielders.

"There is a Premier League club - Manchester United - who have many issues to address and are looking for a type of midfielder with the same characteristics as Barrios and Fermin," he said.

"They have inquired about both. There are no negotiations, simply an initial sounding out," he added, before admitting: "It is highly unlikely that either will leave. Pablo Barrios is an indispensable player for Atletico, and Fermin is a key figure for Barca.

"But United are indeed looking for players with that kind of profile. When they came to Madrid to play in the Champions League, they took the opportunity to hold a number of meetings."

The fact that Man Utd are still monitoring midfielders should raise eyebrows, considering that they signed three players for the engine room in the summer. Fermin is more attack-minded than Barrios and is perhaps being eyed as a possible replacement for captain Bruno Fernandes.

The Portugal international is out of contract at the end of the season, although Man Utd hold a one-year extension option. Fernandes has come under fire for publicly criticising Michael Carrick, which has cast doubt on his long-term future at Old Trafford.

As Moretto said, though, neither Fermin nor Barrios is expected to be available. Beyond their respective clubs' unwillingness to do business, the cost of the operation also makes these signings unfeasible.

Fermin currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €116.5 million, while Barrios sits at a more modest €57m. That's a combined value of €173.5m. It's the kind of money Man Utd can't spend on midfielders, given that they have much more urgent transfer needs elsewhere.