Erik ten Hag has put Jude Bellingham ahead of Frenkie de Jong at the top of Manchester United's midfield shortlist, according to reports.
United had made De Jong their top target for the summer window at the request of Ten Hag but they were unable to convince the Netherlands international to leave Barcelona.
Instead of De Jong, United managed to complete a £70 million deal to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid in the summer and the Brazil international has impressed since arriving at Old Trafford.
But Ten Hag remains keen on strengthening his midfield options even more at the end of the season.
According to the Daily Mirror, United are among the clubs interested in signing Bellingham and Ten Hag wants the club to prioritise a move for the 19-year-old next summer.
The report also claims that Ten Hag has been promised even more funds to bolster his squad and the decision over Bellingham was made by the United manager and the club's football director John Murtough.
Earlier this week, Bild reported that Dortmund will demand €150m (£128.9m) for Bellingham next summer, with the German club already resigned to losing their star midfielder at the end of the season.
Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid have already registered their interest.
De Jong, meanwhile, was under pressure to leave Barcelona in the summer in order to boost the Spanish club's financial situation.
Speaking last month, the Netherlands international revealed that Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta was even among those who were trying to convince him to leave Camp Nou.
'I was calm,' De Jong told Ziggo Sport. 'I decided in May that I wanted to stay.
'My opinion never changed during that entire period.
'I stayed calm. But then you know the pressure would start to come… yes, from the newspapers, from the president, exactly. From everywhere actually. But I wanted to stay at Barca so it never baffled me.'
Niodlmrs
0
One knows that he will not sign for Utd, only rumours created for getting better offers from other teams
Jedabdpuy
2
Liverpool dont need this boy. Overpriced and over rated player. Will be a big flop in EPL
Kiwdeikuz
1
De Jong should stay in Barcelona,we need this young boy though costly
lahdelnouz
0
i thought they learnt their lesson from sancho
Felixjr254
0
who again do Manchester want ...they don't need Messi ,mbappe , Ramos
PrinceMartin
0
Bellingham will fit more into the premier league than de jong. he has more pace and energy in his legs to play as number 8. good on the ball, passing and shooting
Bellingham has pace than dejong what a joke you don't watch football
Fokbeklps
0
I think they got a better chance of getting Rice from West Ham
kg-4991
2
I have a huge respect for De Jong. He is committed to Barca so he stood his ground regardless of pressures from Barca themselves and others like United. . Yet many Barcelona fans hate him for not leaving as they believed De Jong leaving might bring a new list of big players. . . Barcelona is diving into the abyss of Debt. Soon everything will explode. . Laporta is your enemy, not your saviour. You will see it soon just like I do.
mol3s_
1
Bellingham will fit more into the premier league than de jong. he has more pace and energy in his legs to play as number 8. good on the ball, passing and shooting
Shahrenn82
0
Come on man u.. Stop this BS
Wueadilrst
1
not again plz go for navas or telismen
Riubcdeknt
0
he is better than de jong
Zooaenprs
0
very good
wijehuwknkkn
0
😂😂😂😂😂
Kkrexuke
0
ten Hag was probably pleasantly surprised by Eriksen doing a job he expected of de Jong. so probably he wants someone young to drive the midfield like what Fred does.
Nazdilmpr
0
I prefer de jong over Jude but the boy is good af