Bayern Munich have reportedly identified Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong as a possible alternative for Declan Rice this summer.
Bayern had been keen on West Ham United skipper Rice earlier in the transfer window, but they are understood to have ended their interest due to the Hammers' asking price.
The London club are holding out for a bid of more than £100m, and have already rejected offers from Arsenal and Manchester City which did not meet their valuation of the England international.
The German champions were not willing to splash so much money on one player, but they are still keen to bolster their central midfield ranks ahead of the new season.
Manager Thomas Tuchel is eager to get most of his side's transfer business done early, and the club have already brought in Konrad Laimer and Raphael Guerreiro on free transfers this summer.
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Footmercato claims that De Jong is another target on their list for the ongoing window, with Bayern hopeful of taking advantage of any lingering financial issues for Barcelona.
The La Liga champions were thought to be keen to offload the Dutch international last summer in an attempt to trim their wage bill, with Manchester United heavily linked during a long-running saga.
However, De Jong was determined to stay at Camp Nou and ultimately played a key part for Xavi's side as they regained the Spanish top-flight title.
The Dutch international featured 33 times in the league and 43 times across all competitions throughout the course of the 2022-23 campaign.
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Barcelona have since brought in Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City to challenge for midfield places, although stalwart Sergio Busquets has left the club for Inter Miami.
De Jong is still happy at Barcelona and wants to stay at Camp Nou, but the report claims that Bayern could look to test Barca's resolve in the transfer market.
Man City's Kalvin Phillips is also thought to be on Bayern's shortlist of possible midfield targets, while reports today claim that they have seen an official bid for Harry Kane rejected by Tottenham Hotspur.
Bayern endured statistically one of their worst seasons in recent times last term, but still managed to pip Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga title on the final day of the campaign.
Barney Corkhill
