Barcelona join Man Utd in race for PL star who is impressing for a poor side

According to a report by FootballTransfers.com on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Barcelona have joined Manchester United in pursuing Fulham’s highly rated midfielder Josh King after the teenager impressed despite his team’s disappointing performances in the Premier League.

Barcelona have reportedly identified the 19-year-old as a potential signing, with sporting director Deco said to have included him on the club’s transfer shortlist.

Manchester United are similarly interested in securing the services of the England Under-21 midfielder, whose displays have attracted attention across Europe.

Spanish outlet SPORT claims that Chelsea, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are also considering making approaches for the talented Fulham academy product.

Despite Fulham’s poor start to the season, King has managed to score two goals in the Premier League. His contributions have come as the club struggles near the foot of the table, having failed to register a victory in their first six league fixtures.

King began his football journey at Fulham’s academy when he was eight and earned his first professional contract in January 2024.

The youngster subsequently made his first-team debut later that year, appearing in Fulham’s Carabao Cup win against Birmingham City.

After featuring 11 times during the 2024-25 season, he committed his future to the club by signing a four-year contract in July 2025. The agreement is set to keep him at Craven Cottage until 2029.

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s interest in King comes amid growing concerns about the club’s performances under Michael Carrick.

United’s latest setback was a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. The result means they have won only two of their eight matches across all competitions this season, highlighting their ongoing difficulties.

Barcelona have experienced a considerably more successful campaign under Hansi Flick. The Blaugrana have won all nine of their opening matches in every competition, scoring an impressive 39 goals across La Liga and the Champions League.

Fulham, meanwhile, have suffered another frustrating result after falling to a 2-1 defeat against Ipswich Town. They conceded twice late in the game, with King featuring for 76 minutes before his substitution. The loss has placed additional pressure on manager Alvaro Arbeloa as the club searches for a turnaround.

Given the growing interest from several high-profile European sides, King could find himself at the centre of an increasingly competitive transfer battle. Maintaining his current level of performance would further strengthen his reputation and potentially increase the likelihood of a move to a major club.

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