With Cesc Fabregas becoming a diminishing possibility, it seems that Manchester United has set its sight on scooping up Real Madrid's Luka Modric.

According to ESPN, "Manchester United could turn their attention to Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric after it appeared increasingly likely that Old Trafford target Cesc Fabregas would stay at Barcelona."

The publication notes that Manchester United is prepared to spend 25 million pounds on the midfielder.

With Madrid's likely acquisition of Gareth Bale, Modric becomes expendable for the club with such midfielders as Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, and Angel Di Maria fighting for regular spots. Furthermore, Madrid is supposedly spending around 100 million euros to acquire Bale and may welcome some extra cash from a sale of a top player.

Modric has stated that he would welcome a return to the Premier league where he played for the Tottenham Hotspur. Despite being acquired at the start of 2012, the midfielder was never able to secure a starting position for Los Blancos; with the addition of Bale and Carlo Ancelotti's confidence in Kaka, his chances could become more difficult.

Modric would give Manchester a terrific option in the midfield, especially with the likelihood of Fabregas staying put in Barcelona. Manchester United had hoped that the Spaniard would welcome an opportunity to gain more playing time with the Red Devils, but his club has constantly stated that a move was out of the question.

"United are wasting their time. It took a long time for Cesc to get his dream move back home and he won't give it up. This is home, it is where his family is, and he is playing with his closest friends," said Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. "He has told us he is happy and that he intends to stay with Barcelona."

"We can assure you that we won't listen to any offers for Cesc. It is not an option. Cesc is non-transferable," added Barcelona's Vice President Josep Maria Bartomeu.