Manchester United have been handed a boost in their quest to sign Franck Kessie - according to reports.
Speculation over the Ivory Coast midfielder and his AC Milan future continues to spiral as he approaches the final few months of his contract at the San Siro.
Kessie is an integral part of the Milan team and Stefano Pioli wants to keep him at the club.
However, amid reported interest from Barcelona, Tottenham and United, talks between the player and key figures upstairs at Milan have stalled - offering a welcome invitation to potential suitors.
Barcelona are thought to be frontrunners for his signature.
According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, though, Kessie has yet to settle on the Catalan giants as the race to sign him remains open.
The 25-year-old midfielder has scored five goals in 18 appearances for the Serie A giants this season.
Manchester Evening News understands that central midfield has already been identified as the priority area before this summer transfer window - while Declan Rice is still seen as target number one in that regard, despite concerns current club West Ham will dig their heels in over a valuation.
Amadou Haidara, Boubacar Kamara and Ruben Neves from Wolves have been mooted as possible alternatives.
As for Kessie, any would-be move from United rests on a final decision from Paul Pogba - with the France player all set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer for the second time.
Elsewhere, reports suggest United are still intent on making a move for Erling Haaland this summer.
The 21-year-old is one of the hottest properties in Europe right now and clubs are set for an almighty scramble for his services when a £64million release clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract activates; with Real Madrid right at the front of that particular queue.
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Haaland is commanding further interest from both Manchester clubs.
Barcelona and Bayern Munich should also be in the running, but Spanish publication SPORT suggest United haven't been put off by that competition and possible struggles they might encounter enticing Haaland to Old Trafford with their current struggles on the domestic front.
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