Manchester United have reportedly earmarked West Ham United's Declan Rice and Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham as potential alternatives to Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.
De Jong has been the subject of one of the longest transfer sagas during the summer window, but a proposed switch to Old Trafford appears to have hit a stumbling block.
Last month, the Red Devils allegedly reached an agreement to sign the 25-year-old for a fee in excess of £70m, and they have recently informed Barca that they are prepared to pay the £17m that the midfielder is owed in deferred wages by the Catalan club.
However, negotiations between both parties have failed to progress and the Dutchman still intends to remain at Camp Nou beyond the summer window.
United are now at risk of missing out on De Jong as Premier League rivals Chelsea have joined the race for his signature, with one report claiming that the Blues are optimistic about completing a deal.
De Jong is believed to be Erik ten Hag's primary target, but The Athletic reports that both Rice and Bellingham are at the top of their list of alternatives if they fail to sign the Dutchman.
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The report adds that De Jong is still viewed as the "pre-eminent choice" by United's hierarchy and they will continue to push for the midfielder before the September 1 deadline.
The Red Devils have held an interest in Rice for some time, although they have been put off by West Ham's hefty £150m valuation of the midfielder.
The 23-year-old, who has spent the last five years as a senior player for the Hammers, recently spoke about his future and admits that he cannot control the rumours linking him with other clubs.
"Everyone knows my relationship with the players, the manager (David Moyes). I've never once complained. Every time I put on the shirt it's 'go out there and give 100%' and whatever happens off the pitch will take care of itself," Rice told Sky Sports News last month.
"I can't control [speculation], what I can control is going out there and trying to be the best player every time I put on the shirt. It is annoying. The numbers that get attached to your name, obviously you can't control that at all.
"There's stuff sometimes that you see which you obviously don't want to hear because it's not really true, in a way. But I can't control that, all I can do is go on the pitch and play football and be happy.
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"For the last couple of seasons that is what I've done and that is the faith the manager has put in me so all that speculation stuff, that's what comes with playing good, I suppose."
While Rice has two years remaining on his West Ham contract, Bellingham is tied to Borussia Dortmund until the summer of 2025, and the German club are under no pressure to sell the talented 19-year-old.
Following the departure of Erling Braut Haaland to Manchester City, Bellingham is expected to stay with BVB this summer, but a potential exit ahead of the 2023-24 campaign could be considered.
The England international is allegedly valued at around €100m (£85m) and should Man United pursue a deal for the midfielder, they would likely face stern competition from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City, Barcelona and Real Madrid for his services.
Since joining Dortmund from Birmingham City in July 2020, Bellingham has scored 11 goals and provided 18 assists in 91 appearances for the Bundesliga club across all competitions.
Oliver Thomas
