Rumour: Alexis Sanchez is Manchester United’s top target according to reports

Chile's national football team striker Alexis Sanchez warms up during a training session in Santiag

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has identified Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez as a top summer transfer target and is aiming to buy the Chilean for £20 million, according to the Guardian.

Sanchez, who scored 21 goals for Barcelona last season, could be on his way out of the club as new manager Luis Enrique looks to overhaul the playing squad with an impending transfer ban coming up next year.

Cesc Fabregas could be another player to leave and could head to Chelsea after Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes also both ended their long Barca careers.

Sanchez has been targeted by Liverpool and Juventus, too, who probably stand a better chance of signing the forward than Man United, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season.

Although United’s interest in Sanchez has not moved beyond that or onto an advanced stage, van Gaal is believed to be a huge fan of the forward, who he will come up against in the World Cup as Holland manager.

The Chilean is one of the star’s of a strong Chile side that will come up against Holland in Group B at the World Cup in Brazil.

He had a disjointed season in Spain last season and could well be on the way out but Man United face strong competition from a number of clubs. A good World Cup and the interested parties may also want in on Sanchez.