Manchester United are considering a €68million (£57.5m) bid for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
United are frantically attempting to strengthen their squad three weeks before the transfer window closes, having failed to sign an out-and-out central midfielder.
Milinkovic-Savic, 27, is contracted to Lazio until 2024 and the Serie A club have been seeking a buyer for the Serbia international for some time.
Also read: United withdraw from Arnautovic move
United deemed Milinkovic-Savic as too expensive in 2018 when he was valued at €100m.
Although United have agreed a fee with Juventus for midfielder Adrien Rabiot, their decision to withdraw from a move for Bologna forward Marko Arnautovic still leaves them short of proven depth up front.
Milinkovic-Savic primarily plays in an advanced role for Lazio and Serbia and he scored 11 goals in 47 games last season.
United have reached the 90-day mark of their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong but have not made any progress since chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough flew to Barcelona four weeks ago.
United agreed a fee of €85million for De Jong last month but are considering other midfielders due to an impasse caused by the Dutchman's wage deferral at Barcelona.
It is understood dozens of United supporters emailed Arnold threatening to cancel their season ticket if United bought Arnautovic.
Many United fans cited allegations of racial abuse against Arnautovic while he was at Twente in 2009.
The backlash from United supporters over the bid for Arnautovic, which emerged on the day of their 2-1 home defeat to Brighton, has inflamed tensions between the club and the fanbase.
Supporters not involved with the group behind Saturday's tame protest at Old Trafford are considering whether to organise their own protest around the visit of Liverpool.
READ MORE:
