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Manchester United are planning to make a move for Barcelona striker Neymar, according to a report.
According to The Sun, the Red Devils will make a discreet approach to Nou Camp officials about the possibility of signing the Brazil star.
The report comes amid serious concern over Manchester United's transfer policy, which has seen them miss out on a number of major targets. Pedro joined Chelsea, Sergio Ramos agreed a new deal at Real Madrid and Nicolas Otamendi joined Manchester City, however Louis van Gaal denied United were ever interested in the latter.
The chances of Barcelona being prepared to sell Neymar seem slim at best. The striker has been brilliant at the Nou Camp since joining from Santos in 2013, scoring 54 goals in 92 games. Meanwhile the club are under a transfer embargo until January, meaning they could not sign a replacement.
Manchester United's alternative 23-man squad of transfer targets
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Van Gaal appears to be a fan though. Speaking earlier in the summer, the Manchester United manager name-checked Neymar when talking about the best players.
"Barcelona have Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez," he said. "We, as Manchester United, have to compete with these clubs. So we have to look also for these kind of players.
"When it is possible to buy, for a reasonable price, players from that level, we shall do that, because they are better."
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)
He also expressed a view that Manchester United winger Ashley Young is not at the level of the Brazil star.
"Ashley Young had a fantastic season last time, but he is not a Neymar, and we have to compete with that kind of class."
Manchester United have also been linked with other targets, including Edinson Cavani and Thomas Muller. Van Gaal's current options include Wayne Rooney, James Wilson and Javier Hernandez.
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