Barcelona have set aside a budget to sign Ander Herrera from Manchester United this summer, according to reports in Spain.
Sport claims that the Spanish club have already activated ‘Plan B’ in anticipation of their failure to prise Marco Verratti away from Paris Saint-Germain.
Barca are still prioritising a deal for the Italy international but should they fail to agree a move with PSG, who are standing firm over their refusal to sell the 24-year-old, they will attempt to land Herrera.
Sport claims that Barcelona are in the market for a new central midfielder as well as an attacker capable of scoring goals, and Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez is high on the shortlist with Herrera.
Barcelona’s new boss, Ernesto Valderde, managed Herrera for one season at Athletic Bilbao before the midfielder joined United for around £29 million in the summer of 2014.
Valderde has supported Barca’s board in their move for Herrera having already worked closely with the player, and Sport claim that the United midfielder could be signed for €40m (£35.2m).
Herrera has just one year remaining on his current contract with United but the club have the option to extend that for a further year.
Barcelona, meanwhile, remain in talks with PSG in an attempt to persuade them to part with Verratti this summer.
The Italian wants to make the move to Camp Nou but PSG have the upper hand in negotiations as the midfielder is tied to a contract until 2021.
Barca are prepared to pay €80m (£70.3m) for Verratti but the French club remain adamant that they will not be forced into selling their key midfielder.
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