Manchester United Set to Seal £36m Deal for Juan Cuadrado Before Start of New PL Season

Manchester United are set to complete a move in signing Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado before the start of the season, according to the Express.

The Red Devils have already tabled a bid of £32m for the services of the Colombian international. However, the Serie A outfit have rejected the Old Trafford club's offer as they are hoping to get a better offer for the versatile player.

Barcelona are also in the frame in signing Cuadrado. However, United are planning to beat the Catalan club for the services of the right-winger by meeting Fiorentina's asking price of £36m for their star player.

The Italian side are willing to offer Cuadrado a new five-year deal as he has now returned to the club - completing his holiday, after having an impressive spell with the Colombian national side in the World Cup.

The Premier League season starts next weekend and United are set to complete the deal for Cuadrado before the new campaign kick-start. The Spanish newspaper Mundo Deperotivo claims the player's future with Viola was set to be decided on Thursday.

However, the negotiations did not take place on Thursday as the Serie A club's president Andrea Della Valle had been on a business trip. The meeting has now been postponed to Friday and they will come to a conclusion as to where Cuadrado would play in the new season.

The Express report suggests that United manager Louis van Gaal is set to offload Javier Hernandez and Shinji Kagwa this summer. The Dutchman looks to bring in Cuadrado as he has set his sights on the Colombian international to field him as a right wing-back in his 3-5-2 formation at Old Trafford.

Fiorentina are willing to let their player make an exit if Cuadrado confirms his desire to leave his current employer in the ongoing transfer window. A move for the South American star is likely to bolster United's squad as he can play in multiple positions.