Manchester United line up Ivan Rakitic as Bruno Fernandes alternative?

Manchester United are reportedly considering a £45m bid for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.

The Red Devils are widely expected to sign a new midfielder before the transfer window slams shut, and the club have been strongly linked with Sporting Lisbon's Bruno Fernandes.

Tottenham Hotspur are now said to have moved to the head of the queue for the Portugal international, though, ahead of the closing of the transfer window on August 8.

According to Mundo Deportivo, United are keen to sign Fernandes this summer, but the English giants have lined up Rakitic - valued at £45m - as an alternative to fill the midfield role.

The 2018 World Cup finalist has also been linked with a move to Inter Milan ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

However, the 31-year-old has recently played down suggestions that he could leave Camp Nou this summer.