Man Utd 'monitoring Valencia star Uros Racic ahead of potential 28m transfer'

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Valencia star Uros Racic, who has been dubbed the 'new Nemanja Matic'.

Racic, 22, made his La Liga debut on Sunday after impressing during a loan spell with Portuguese club Famalicao last season.

The towering central midfielder helped Valencia to Copa del Rey glory in the 2018/19 campaign and is renowned for his work rate and defensive capabilities.

Racic is contracted at Valencia until 2022 and protected by a €100million (£92million) release clause, but he may be available this summer for just £28million as the Spanish club attempts to balance the books amid its financial crisis.

And Manchester United are primed to capitalise with a cut-price deal for the 6'4" midfield enforcer, according to  The Sun.

Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already strengthened his midfield options this summer with the £35.7million signing of Donny van de Beek from Ajax.

The Netherlands international typically plays in an advanced role, however, and defensive midfield is an area Solskjaer is also targeting for recruitment.

Matic, a seasoned Premier League performer for Chelsea and United, is now 32 and likely coming towards the end of his Old Trafford career.

Meanwhile, Fred has struggled for consistency and Scott McTominay for fitness, while Paul Pogba's future with the club remains uncertain.

Racic, a Serbia U21 international, is also known for his technical ability and emerged from Red Star Belgrade's academy four years ago.

His arrival would provide Solskjaer with depth in midfield as he prepares to balance Premier League and Champions League football this season.

United are also linked with Real Madrid outcast Gareth Bale following their failure to make progress in their long-term pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.

Dortmund are continuing to demand £108million for Sancho, 20, and are increasingly confident he will stay at Westfalenstadion for at least another season.