Porto full-back Alex Telles hopes to complete a move to Manchester United this week after the Red Devils held advanced talks with the Portoguese giants.
The 27-year-old is out of contract next summer and Porto are looking to cash in on their prized asset, who has a release clause of around £36million.
However, United believe they can sign Telles for roughly half that figure and the Guardian report that they’ve made progress with Porto in the last 48 hours in negotiations for the Brazil international.
United were interested in Sergio Reguilon before the Spaniard joined Tottenham but the club were unwilling to accept Real Madrid’s demand to include a buyback clause in his contract.
Following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, Luke Shaw called on the club to strengthen the squad by making signings before the transfer window shuts on October 5th.
Ironically, Telles would provide the former Southampton ace with far stronger competition than he’s been accustomed to in recent years and the Brazilian is clearly more adept in attacking areas than the England international.
Telles scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in the Primeira Liga last term, though the full-back did take penalties for Porto.
The Brazilian is believed to have already agreed a contract with United, where he’ll earn up to £75,000-a-week.
It’s claimed the most that United would be prepared to pay for Telles is around £22m but the club hope to drive down that fee even further.
Dortmund star Jadon Sancho remains the club’s priority target but the Bundesliga giants looks increasingly unlikely to allow the England international to leave this late into the window.
Untied will therefore scower the market for an alternative, with Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic and Juventus’ Douglas Costa both possibilities.
