![\"Transfer](\"https:\/\/scorzo.live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AnderBarrenetxea_Webley-696x392.png\" "\\"AnderBarrenetxea_Webley\\"\/")
<\/div>\nTransfer news: Man United and Chelsea are interested in Real Sociedad\u2019s Copa del Rey hero<\/h2>\n
Both Manchester United and Chelsea have added Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea to their summer transfer shortlist, according to a report from Spanish outlet Marca. The 24-year-old left winger is a homegrown talent in San Sebasti\u00e1n, having climbed through the academy to become a fixture in La Liga.<\/p>\n
Over 233 appearances for the club, he has notched 28 goals and 18 assists, stats that suggest a player coming into his prime. This season, Barrenetxea truly made his mark by scoring the fastest goal in over a century of Copa del Rey final history, hitting the net in just 14 seconds against Atl\u00e9tico Madrid. While his contract runs until June 2030, giving Sociedad plenty of control, the club are known for letting stars go if the price is right, much like the deals for Alexander Isak and Mikel Merino.<\/p>\n
He isn\u2019t just a highlight-reel player; the numbers back up his impact. He sits among the top 6% of La Liga players for expected assists, and his non-penalty expected goals (0.23 per 90) show he gets into dangerous spots consistently.<\/p>\n
With an 80% pass completion rate and over 2 key passes per game, Ander Barrenetxea is as much a playmaker as a finisher. The big question mark is his output: with three goals in 30 league games this year, it\u2019s thin for a top-tier attacker, and the Premier League rarely offers second chances for poor finishing.<\/p>\n
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Do either club actually need him, or is this just more summer noise?<\/h3>\n
Manchester United\u2019s interest makes plenty of sense. They\u2019re short on natural left-sided forwards and need reliable depth for a return to European football. Barrenetxea offers energy without the massive price tag of a superstar signing.<\/p>\n
Chelsea are a different story. Their squad is already packed with wingers, but since most have struggled for consistency, the scouts are looking elsewhere. Unlike some of Chelsea\u2019s recent project signings, Barrenetxea is a proven professional with a Spain debut under his belt, but he still risks getting lost in the shuffle at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n
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For United, the move feels more tactical. A hungry 24-year-old who knows how to work within a system could shine at Old Trafford. Expect this transfer news to pick up steam as the window nears, especially if he makes the trip to the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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