Manchester United are set to lodge a £65million bid for Sporting Lisbon star Bruno Fernandes this week.
United see free-scoring midfielder Fernandes as the ideal player to bolster their ailing midfield, with Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay both out injured.
Sporting are said to have rebuffed United's initial offer of a player-plus-cash deal, with Marcos Rojo, Joel Pereira or Angel Gomes going the other way.
That means United are likely to have to meet Sporting's £50m valuation of Fernandes – rising to £65m with add-ons - if they are to sign him this month.
United continue to hold talks with Sporting and representatives of Fernandes, and remain hopeful a deal can be done before this month's transfer deadline.
The uncertainty over his future would seem to have had little impact on Fernandes, who starred in Sporting's 3-1 win over Setubal on Saturday, scoring twice.
Fernandes, who scored 31 goals last season, has 15 from 24 appearances for Sporting this term, with Tottenham also interested in signing him.
Sporting coach Silas had claimed he is in the dark over United's interest in his star man.
Speaking after the the victory at Setubal, he said: "I can’t guarantee any of these things because I don’t know.
"I’m already thinking about the game with Benfica [on Friday] and I’m thinking about using him."
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed he has the backing of the United board as he discussed a possible transfer for the 25-year-old.
Solskjaer was asked to comment on the club's pursuit of the midfielder on Saturday.
And while he refused to discuss individuals by name, he admitted that he has the backing of the board to go out and get a player of his choosing.
"Bruno Fernandes? I can't talk about individuals that play for other clubs, but I've got to say I do have backing," said the Red Devils boss.
"We do have backing to do something if the right thing comes up in this window. The owners, Ed, they know what we're building towards."
