Manchester United are preparing to open talks with Real Madrid over the surprise transfer of James Rodriguez next week, according to reports.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to enhance his squad this summer to build on their potential and turn them into Premier League challengers, with a centre-midfielder, winger and playmaker all on his wish list.
While M.E.N. Sport understands that Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish remains United's priority target to fulfil the playmaker role, that hasn't prevented other talented players from being touted.
The latest of which is the skillful Rodriguez who, according to the Express, could be available for a cut-price fee this summer after falling out of favour at Madrid.
The Colombian rose to stardom with some sensational performances in the 2014 World Cup, which subsequently earned him a £67.5million move from Monaco to the Spanish capital.
However, Rodriguez has never really lived up to his full potential at Madrid and has reportedly now been told by the club he is free to leave after an unsuccessful loan spell at Bayern Munich.
Rodriguez is now looking to revive his career and it's reported that United have been the quickest to react to his availability, with Madrid willing to accept bids in the region of £23million for the player who has a year remaining on his contract.
However, M.E.N. Sport does not understand Rodriguez to be a target and at 29 he doesn't fit into the club's strategy of signing young, promising and preferably British players.
Meanwhile, United could reportedly be set to lose out on Velez Sarsfield prodigy Thiago Almada to great rivals Leeds United.
M.E.N. Sport understands that United consider Almada to be a potential back-up plan if they fail to sign top target Jadon Sancho this summer, along with Schalke's Rabbi Matondo and Bournemouth's David Brooks.
However, according to The Sun, Premier League new boys Leeds could steal in to sign the 19-year-old as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of their return to the top flight after a 16-year absence.
