Manchester United 'eye a summer swoop for either Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice or Amadou Haidara with central midfield a priority next season'

Manchester United’s preparations for next season are already underway with the club identifying three central midfielders to bolster their squad.

Central midfield has been a long-term issue for the Red Devils – especially in the search of someone who can provide a protective shield to the defence.

And according to the Athletic, the Old Trafford hierarchy have pinpointed Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Amadou Haidara as those who would improve things in the middle of the park.

Jude Bellingham (left) and Declan Rice are both on Manchester United’s transfer target list

Of those three, Bellingham is reportedly the first-choice target. Bellingham came close to joining United 18 months but chose Borussia Dortmund instead.

The 18-year-old has excelled in Germany with his performances seeing him become an England international.

The teenager will still have another three years left on his Dortmund deal at the end of the season so it will take the Premier League outfit a big offer to persuade Dortmund to sell.

Rice has demonstrated his defensive qualities for several seasons now but the 23-year-old has shown he can go forward too following a tweak to his role at the London Stadium this season.

Amadou Haidara is the other target as United look to bolster their midfield in the summer

A large figure would also have to suffice for West Ham’s talisman Rice. His manager David Moyes has declared in the past that he would cost in the region of £100million before.

Meanwhile, interim manager Ralf Rangnick would support a move for Haidara, 23, during the current transfer window but United are reticent to push for those type of deals this month in recent years – bar signing Bruno Fernandes in 2020.

Haidara is currently away too at the Africa Cup of Nations with Mali.

Aside from those three, the publication adds that Denis Zakaria, 25, is no longer wanted by United – with club scouts unsure of his fit long-term. This is despite the Borussia Monchengladbach just having months remaining on his current deal.

Denis Zakaria was on United’s radar but club scouts have since changed their stance on him