Former Newcastle United winger Valentino Lazaro is set to be offered to the Magpies and their Premier League rivals this summer.
And sources close to the player have indicated he is "open" to a possible comeback with United next season.
Steve Bruce is looking at the centre-back and central midfield area, but there could be potential for a loan deal with a view to a permanent as Inter Milan look to get Lazaro game-time once again.
The Serie A champions are actually prepared to sell Lazaro outright this summer but his fee could still be steep.
He is only valued at £10million according to Transfermarkt but Inter paid £22million for him back in 2019.
Lazaro, who has appeared at Euro 2020 for Austria this summer, spent last term with Borussia Monchengladbach but made only 15 starts and the German side were not keen on a permanent move.
Lazaro did not shut the door completely at Newcastle last summer and said after joining Gladbach: "A lot of things changed and the club then decided not to play me anymore.
"It was really disappointing not to get any more minutes."
The winger was hardly helped by the three-month break last season but even after returning and scoring in the 4-1 win at AFC Bournemouth, the club chose not to sign him again and looked at other options.
But with loans likely to figure again for Bruce in this window, the Austrian star's agent will listen carefully to offers this summer.
