Manchester United will set their sights on Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger – if a third bid for Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas fails this week.
The Premier League champions have become aware of whispers in Germany that Schweinsteiger may not fit into Pep Guardiola’s new Bavarian blueprint.
And with United looking for top-class midfield alternatives should a final attempt to prise Fabregas away from the Nou Camp be unsuccessful, the 29-year-old German would fit the bill perfectly.
United’s need for reinforcements is starting to become so desperate that they are preparing one final club-record bid for Fabregas worth £35million plus £5m in add-ons .
It is an offer that is powered by the belief that the 26-year-old wants to move to Old Trafford.
But, if Barca continue to insist that the former Arsenal star is not for sale , United know that they will be forced to look elsewhere, with the defence of their title less than two weeks away.
Everton’s Marouane Fellaini has been identified by new boss David Moyes as a possible target, but United are yet to trigger a £23.5m release clause in the Belgian’s contract that is set to expire.
And Real Madrid are continuing to insist that they are not listening to offers for Luca Modric.
News that Schweinsteiger could struggle to nail down a place in Guardiola’s team at Munich will alert United as well as every other top club in Europe.
Despite his age, he will command a fee in excess of £25m – and clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea are also sure to be interested.
Guardiola may have inherited a team that won the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup last season but he has made it clear during pre-season that he does not want to play a tactical formation that includes two defensive midfielders.
Guardiola, who has already beaten United to the signature of Barca starlet Thiago Alacantara, is believed to be looking to Javi Martinez to anchor his midfield.
Bayern have also spent £34million on buying Mario Gotze from Borussia Dortmund.
That leaves Schweinsteiger – last week named German Footballer of the Year – facing a fight for his place.
Getting rid of a player who came through the youth ranks and is regarded as a Bayern legend would be a huge gamble by Guardiola but it’s a gamble he may well take.
Moyes is yet to make his first signing since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson last month.