Adrien Rabiot is not the only midfielder are currently working on a deal for with the Red Devils also in talks over two further options, according to reports.
Having spent most of the summer unsuccessfully pursuing a deal for star – who does not want to leave Camp Nou – United’s hierarchy appear to have finally moved on to alternative targets.
That has seen a surprise move for midfielder Rabiot, with United for the Frenchman worth around £15million.
Personal terms have yet to be negotiated, however, and the 27-year-old’s mother – who is also his agent – is notorious for being a stubborn and difficult person to deal with.
But Rabiot is not the only player on United’s radar, with Spanish newspaper reporting that the club are also looking at Argentina international Guido Rodriguez.
The Real Betis man, who was part of his nation’s Copa America-winning squad, is well regarded by United and they feel he could play a more destructive, defensive role in the heart of the midfield.
United are not the only Premier League side interested in the 28-year-old, with Everton also keeping tabs on the Argentine, but they are the first club to open talks with Betis.
The Spanish side would be loathe to lose the midfielder but would be willing to accept an offer of around €20million (£16.8m), with part of that fee needing to go to his former club America in Mexico.
That would make him slightly more expensive than Rabiot in terms of transfer fee, though he would accept a considerably smaller salary than the Juventus man and the negotiations are likely to be far less difficult.
As things stand, Rabiot is still United’s preferred choice – though he could be accompanied by another new addition in midfield.
According to , the Red Devils’ hierarchy are also looking into the possibility of signing Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – a player they have been linked with in countless windows in the past.
It is not entirely clear if the Serbian is seen as an alternative to Rabiot or could join with him, but United have explored the possibility of striking a deal and intermediaries feel Lazio would be willing to cash in for a big price.
The Italian side would like to keep their star man, but an offer of around £50m could give them cause to reconsider that stance.
Milinkovic-Savic is highly rated by United’s board and their approach suggests a deal for De Jong could now be dead in the water; the Serb is a very different player to the Dutchman though, scoring 11 times and laying on as many assists in Serie A last season.
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