Leading football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently reported that the Red Devils have opened direct talks with Barcelona to sign midfielder Frenkie De Jong.

Signing the talented former Ajax midfielder will not be an easy deal for new manager Erik Ten Hag to complete though.

De Jong is at a club who are set for another campaign in the Champions League, whereas a seventh-place finish for the Red Devils means they will now spend next season in Europe’s second tier.

Writing in his latest exclusive column, Romano explained how Ten Hag views his former midfielder and how he plans to build the club’s new era around him.

However, according to a recent report from GiveMeSport, failure to convince the technically gifted Netherlands international to team back up with his old manager is set to see the Red Devils target Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic instead.

Currently valued at a whopping £63m (Transfermarket), regardless of which midfielder Man United targets, it is obvious the sums involved are going to be hefty.

Milinkovic-Savic has two years left on his deal and following suggestions that Barcelona are demanding over £70m (€85m) for De Jong, the Serbia international could prove to be a decent, but also slightly cheaper alternative.

Which midfielder would you prefer to see at Old Trafford? – Let us know in the comments.