Manchester United have earmarked Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic as their top replacement for Ander Herrera, claims The Daily Record.
Herrera will leave United this summer when his contract expires and is widely expected to join Paris Saint-Germain.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will aim to sign at least two midfielders this summer and United have identified Rakitic as a top target.
Barcelona will need to sell three high profile names this summer in order to balance their books.
The Spanish giants have signed Frenkie de Jong from Ajax and are also working on blockbuster deals for Matthijs de Ligt and Antoine Griezmann.
Rakitic, along with Samuel Umtiti and Philippe Coutinho, have been tipped as the most likely casualties as part of Barcelona’s squad overhaul this summer.
Rakitic wants to stay at Barcelona after playing an important role in their league-winning campaign but may have no choice, though Barcelona hope to command €55m (£48.5m) for the 31-year-old.
It would certainly raise eyebrows if United are willing to spend that much money on someone of Rakitic’s age, given they are letting Herrera, 29, leave for nothing.
The Croatia international played a direct hand in eight goals in 34 league appearances this season, but finished with his lowest WhoScored rating in a single league campaign for Barcelona (7.06).
