Manchester United are set to battle Barcelona for the services of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, a new report has claimed.
Erik ten Hag made strengthening United's midfield an area of priority following his arrival in the summer. Although the Dutchman missed out on signing his primary target, Frenkie de Jong, United did capture Real Madrid enforcer Casemiro in a £60million deal.
The multi-time Champions League winner has already had a profound impact on the side since his arrival, but it appears as though Ten Hag is keen on bolstering his midfield options again once the transfer window reopens in January.
According to AS, United have joined Barcelona in the race for Zubimendi, who has attracted numerous European suitors with his performances for Sociedad in LaLiga this season. The 23-year-old has been an ever-present for Sociedad in the league this term, where he has started 13 of their 14 matches.
The Spanish international only penned a contract extension with Sociedad back in October, however, his new deal includes a €60m (£51.5m) release clause.
The report claims that Manchester United are 'willing' to trigger the clause in Zubimendi's contract and are 'studying' the possibility of launching a bid to prise the midfielder away from Real Sociedad.
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Despite Manchester United's interest, Sociedad are 'calm' and expect Zubimendi to stay at the club 'much longer' after putting pen-to-paper on fresh terms.
United spent in excess of £200m in the summer as Ten Hag set about rebuilding a squad that laboured to their worst-ever finish in the Premier League era - but there was an expectation that the spending would continue in the New Year.
As well as targeting Zubimendi, United are likely to be in the market for a new attacking player after Cristiano Ronaldo's tumultuous second spell at the club came to an abrupt end last week.
Manchester United and the 37-year-old, who tried to quit the club in the summer, announced that they had reached a mutual agreement to release Ronaldo from his contract "with immediate effect" - just weeks after his explosive, unsanctioned interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo took aim at Ten Hag, the Glazer family and the infrastructure at the club during the revealing 90-minute discussion. He also heavily hinted that he was angling for a move away in January after being handed a diminished role by Ten Hag this season.
Ronaldo's absence could spur Manchester United into action in the January transfer market and there has already been a suggestion they could rekindle their interest in PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo, who has been Netherlands' standout star at the World Cup.
