Manchester United have held exploratory talks with Barcelona about signing right-back Sergino Dest on a season-long loan.
Despite being unimpressed by Barcelona's conduct over their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong, United view Dest, 21, as an upgrade on right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Dest is a United States international but was born in the Netherlands and played for United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
Also read: Ten Hag is finishing what Rangnick started with defensive selections
United's summer signings Lisandro Martinez and Antony played for Ajax under Ten Hag while Christian Eriksen, who left Ajax in 2013, trained under Ten Hag at Ajax at the start of the year when he was a free agent.
Right-back Sergi Roberto signed a new Barcelona contract earlier this year and new signing Jules Kounde made his debut against Real Valladolid at right-back. Dest has been omitted from the last two matchday squads by Barcelona coach Xavi.
Wan-Bissaka, 24, lost his status as a first-teamer to Diogo Dalot in the wake of former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking in November. Dalot has cemented his status as first-choice right-back under Ten Hag, starting all four games so far this season.
Crystal Palace declared their interest in Wan-Bissaka early in the transfer window but are only prepared to offer £10million for a player they sold to United for £45m in 2019.
United have fielded numerous enquiries about Dalot but informed any interested party the only right-back they are prepared to negotiate for is Wan-Bissaka.
Wan-Bissaka has started seven of the last 29 Premier League games and has struggled for form in the last two years.
United have already loaned out Dean Henderson, Alex Telles and Eric Bailly, whose wages are being covered in full by their temporary clubs.
Solskjaer wanted to sign Kieran Trippier last year and, despite the boyhood United fan's desire to make the move, Atletico Madrid priced him out of a transfer.
Trippier joined Newcastle in January for £12m.
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