Manchester United are reportedly looking to table a £30m bid for estranged Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who is expected to make a move away from Camp Nou this summer.
The Red Devils have had the former Arsenal skipper on their radar for over a year now, and had three offers for him rejected by the Catalans last summer.
However, after enduring a disappointing season this term with Fabregas' form taking a drastic dip, Barcelona have reportedly shown the door to the midfielder.
And, according to the Metro, United - who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, are reportedly looking to bring Fabregas back to England. Reports suggest that United's newly appointed manager Louis van Gaal has been given permission to splash £30m on the 27-year-old.
However, there could be a little complication in the transfer as Arsenal had reportedly inserted a buy-back clause when they sold Fabregas to Barcelona in 2011, giving them the option of first refusal if the Catalans place the player on the market.
It is understood that Fabregas will decide his club future only after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, even though the Red Devils reportedly want an answer from him before the competition kicks off next month.
Meanwhile, United's other midfield target William Carvalho wants to remain at Sporting Lisbon this summer, despite the interest from the Red Devils.
The 22-year-old holding midfielder has four years remaining on his current contract with Sporting but United were understood to be ready to trigger his €45million release clause.
Carvalho was also earlier believed to be interested in a move to Old Trafford, in search of a new challenge.
But now that the player has reportedly been offered an improved contract by the Portuguese club, he has played down all speculations about his future.
"My future will not be a problem. I am joining the national team with my future resolved. I am a Sporting Lisbon player until June 2018 and when I return from the national team, I'll be back training at Lisbon. Everything else is just speculation," Carvalho told Sky News.