Manchester United have launched a £25million move for Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas after missing out on Thiago Alcantara.
United have been linked with the midfield duo for some time but Thiago had been considered their top target this summer by a number of sources.
Thiago did decide to leave Camp Nou but the Spanish youth international, who also has three caps for the senior side, rejected a move to Old Trafford and has joined former Barca boss Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich.
New Manchester United boss David Moyes is keen to strengthen in midfield this summer and the Premier League champions have now submitted a bid for former Arsenal playmaker Fabregas.
However, Moyes could face a battle to convince the Spain international to return to England as Fabregas has stressed he is not actively looking to leave Barcelona.
United’s bid is being considered but it falls below the Catalan giants’ valuation of the player and it remains to be seen whether or not Barcelona will sanction the deal having already lost Alcantara.
Fabregas has won the Spanish title and the Copa del Rey with Barcelona but has rarely been used in his preferred central midfield role, as Xavi and Andres Iniesta are ahead of him in the pecking order, and speculation suggests he could be open to a move away from his boyhood club.
United’s attempt to sign Fabregas could well be thwarted by Arsenal as the Gunners have first refusal on their former player, at the same price, as part of the deal that saw the 26-year-old move to La Liga in 2011.
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