Barcelona retain 'special interest' in Manchester United defender Daley Blind ahead of January

Barcelona have a "special interest" in Manchester United defender Daley Blind and consider him an option to replace Javier Mascherano at the Nou Camp, according to reports in Spain.

With their options at centre-half already depleted with Samuel Umtiti ruled out until February, Barcelona are bracing themselves for the loss of Argentina defender Mascherano who has informed the club of his desire to leave in January.

The former Liverpool defender has been offered a lucrative deal by Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune and is keen to move on, eager to secure himself more regular game time ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Barcelona are already working on a deal for Colombia international Yerry Mina, who they have a first refusal option to sign either in January or next summer, but Sport report Blind is also being considered.

While Mina is a long-term target, Blind's experience and versatility also appeal to the club, who have already tried to sign him once before. Sport report the club's sporting director Robert Fernandez made a play to sign the Dutchman in 2016 having been sold on his ability to bring the ball out from the back and is convinced the 27-year-old will have no trouble adapting to La Liga.

Blind remains a useful squad option for Jose Mourinho having started every game in the Champions League group stages in a number of different positions this season, but has seldom been part of his manager's plans in the Premier League.

The former Ajax star started as a first-team regular for Mourinho in his first season in charge at Old Trafford but has now fallen down the pecking order at both centre-half and left-back. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly stand ahead of him in the queue at the heart of defence, with Ashley Young now the manager's first-choice option at left-back, with Luke Shaw having worked himself back into contention as first-choice understudy.

Blind has not featured in the league since September with his current contract at Old Trafford set to expire at the end of the season, although United can extend that deal by one additional year.