Manchester United are keeping tabs on Barcelona and Spain U19 midfielder Carles Alena, with a view to bringing inthe talented youngster, before he agrees a new deal with the Catalan giants.
According to theMirror,Barça are in talks with their 18-year-old star to extend his contract by four years, as well as inserting a buyout clause of around £43m, to ward off potential suitors like the Red Devils.
Alena, who has in typically hyperbolic fashionbeen labelled the 'new Iniesta',is rated as a special talent at the Nou Camp and the Blaugrana hierarchy are understandablykeen to keep hold of him for years to come.
Unitedare not abovepinching young talent from Barcelona's seemingly bottomless pool, and most famously took Gerard Pique from La Masia in 2004.
While that move didn't work out for the World Cup winning centre back, other high-profile examples of Barcelona graduates moving away from the club at a young age include Cesc Fabregas, Hector Bellerin, Mikel Arteta, Pepe Reina and Luis Garcia.
Alena has yet to make a first team appearance for Luis Enrique's side but has been included in the matchday squad on several occasions.