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Cesc Fabregas is top midfield target for David Moyes at Manchester United
MANCHESTER UNITED have contacted Barcelona over a surprise move for Cesc Fabregas, but new manager David Moyes has a shortlist of midfield targets as back-up should their bid to sign the Spaniard fall short.
Moyes has compiled a number of potential additions to the midfield he has inherited at Manchester United, with Fabregas his primary target.
And the Red Devils are hoping to tempt the former Arsenal captain to Old Trafford by making initial contact with the La Liga champions over his transfer, according to ESPN.
While Fabregas is thought to be keen on linking up with ex-Gunners team-mate Robin Van Persie, United may struggle to pull off such a complicated deal.
Arsenal have first refusal on the player they sold to the Catalan giants for around £30 million in August 2011, and it is not known whether Fabregas would risk his ties with the North London club by moving to Manchester.
If United are blocked in their path to sign the 26-year-old, Moyes has a Plan B in Real Madrid's Luka Modric - valued by the Spanish side at £24m.
The Scot is also considering activating the £15m release clause in Fabregas' Barca team-mate Thiago Alcantara's contract, while former Everton player Marouane Fellaini would cost £24m.
Juventus star Claudio Marchisio was earmarked by Sir Alex Ferguson as the long-term successor to the retiring Paul Scholes, but Moyes wants to stamp his own mark on the squad with one of his identified targets.