Atletico Madrid are in danger of pricing João Félix out of a move to the Premier League by asking for a £18.3 million package to loan him for just six months.
That valuation is putting off Manchester United and Arsenal, who would only crystallise their interest should the fee be greatly reduced.
Félix, 23, has seen his relationship with head coach Diego Simeone break down and the Spanish side is prepared to loan him out for the second half of the campaign.
A temporary move would appeal to United with Erik ten Hag keen to bolster his attacking options following the departure of Félix’s Portugal team-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, there is no possibility of a deal progressing at the figures being quoted — Atletico want a £13 million fee in addition to wages of £5.3 million being covered.
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Ten Hag believes United need to add a striker to their ranks this month if they are to confirm a place in the top four with the Dutchman admitting Antony Martial is still not at full fitness.
Their 1-0 win over Wolves on Saturday pushed them up to fourth in the league but with Martial struggling with injuries Ten Hag, the United manager, accepted that they need a fully fit squad and an additional forward if they are to compete until the end of the season.
Asked if the club needed to bring in a striker in this transfer window if they are to secure a Champions League spot, Ten Hag replied: “I think we have a good team when all the players are available. But with many games coming up, I think there is a need. But you need one who can have an impact, otherwise you are just burning money and you don’t strengthen the squad and it doesn’t help you.”
It is understood that former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is another player United have had on their radar but the France forward is expecting a new contract offer from AC Milan. His deal expires at the end of the season and the Serie A side could offer him new terms which the 36-year-old would consider.
Marcus Rashford has been United’s leading goalscorer with 11 goals this season — six of them in the Premier League — while Martial, who has been playing through the middle, has only made four league starts.
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Pushed on whether they have a conventional No 9 in the squad with Martial having previously played as a wide forward at United he said: “Yes, we have Anthony Martial.”
“I’m really happy with his performances across many games,” Ten Hag added. “He has a really good impact on our game. It’s really enjoyable to work with him. If you see the minutes he’s played and the impact he’s had so far, I think that’s really huge.”
One player who will not be returning to Old Trafford this month is Amad Diallo. The winger is enjoying a successful spell on loan at Sunderland where he has scored six goals in his past 11 matches.
United do have an option to recall him to the club should they feel it is necessary but Ten Hag believes it is more important that he continues his development in the northeast.
“We consider everything but I have a little bit of reservation about that because I don’t want to stop the process. He has made really good progress there so I’m happy with that,” Ten Hag said. “But young players need experiences and when we decide for him to come back, he has to be a player who can compete for the starting XI or, minimum, to come on for a lot of games and make an impact.”
