Manchester United reportedly only have until the middle of January to sign in-demand Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy in a cut-price deal.
The Red Devils are believed to be considering moving for a new striker this month, with head coach Erik ten Hag refusing to rule out a signing late in the transfer window.
Man United are one of a number of clubs to be credited with an interest in Guirassy, who has scored 19 times and registered two assists in 16 appearances for Stuttgart during the 2023-24 campaign.
There is a €17.5m (£15.1m) release clause in his current contract, but according to Bild, it is only valid until the middle of January.
As a result, Ten Hag's side will have to act quickly if they wish to sign the Guinea international, who is currently away with his country preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations.
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Guirassy had to be substituted in his team's friendly with Nigeria on Monday, but Guinea head coach Kaba Diawara is hopeful that his star forward will be fit for their AFCON opener with Cameroon on January 15.
"He came off to avoid any risks," Diawara told reporters. "We don't know how serious it is now, but it doesn't look too serious. I can only hope it's nothing serious."
Any move this month is complicated by the fact that he is away with his country, but there is still believed to be a strong chance that he could be on the move before the end of the window.
A recent report claimed that Bayern Munich are lining up a bid for Guirassy, with the Bundesliga champions viewing him as the ideal player to support Harry Kane in the final third of the field.
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Stuttgart's sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth recently said that there had been no developments when it comes to the striker's future.
"There has been nothing new since the last Bundesliga matchday," Wohlgemuth told BW24. "Our strategy is not to hope, fear and keep our fingers crossed.
"It's not a wish-for-you thing. We are constantly in contact, and if constellations arise that are favourable, then we will do it. If not, then not.
"We will keep our eyes and ears open. We're not under any pressure, but the squad situation is a bit tense at the moment."
Guirassy has scored 17 times in 14 Bundesliga appearances during the 2023-24 campaign, while he has 33 goals in 44 appearances for Stuttgart in total, in addition to four assists.
