Barca eyeing Manchester United defender Daley Blind

Daley Blind has emerged as the latest target in Barcelona’s search for a centre-back.

The Nou Camp club came into the summer with a young, top-level central defender as one of their top priorities.

But after passing on John Stones and Aymeric Laporte, both now destined for wealthy Premier League clubs, Barca have been frustrated in their attempts to sign top targetMarquinhos.

With Paris Saint-Germain refusing to sell their defensive starlet, Barca know the only way they will get their man is if he forces a move. Thus far, the Brazil international has been reluctant to do so and Barcelona are looking at alternatives.

Sporting director Robert Fernandez is now onto a second tier of targets and these include Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak, who they see as a central defender, and Manchester United utility man Blind.

Interest in the Dutchman, revealed in Wednesday’s edition of SPORT , has not gone as far as an official bid but he fits the mould of a ball-player with defensive capabilities.