Manchester United have apparently been informed that they can convert Marcel Sabitzer's loan move from Bayern Munich into a permanent deal for €15m (£12.9m) this summer.
The Austria international made the move to Old Trafford late in the January transfer window following serious injuries to Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek.
Sabitzer was an important player for Erik ten Hag with three goals and one assist from 18 games in all competitions, but he only started seven Premier League games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury.
Sabitzer's loan deal officially expired on Friday, and Man United confirmed that the 29-year-old had returned to Bayern, where he remains under contract for another two years.
However, Sabitzer's name appeared on the Man United online store for next season's kits, fuelling suggestions that the Austria international could in fact return to the Theatre of Dreams.
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Now, German outlet Bild - via the Bayern & Germany Twitter account - reports that the Red Devils can re-sign the midfielder permanently for as little as €15m (£12.9m) in the current window.
Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel apparently does not view Sabitzer as part of his long-term plans in Bavaria, where Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka remain the German champions' first-choice midfield pairing.
Konrad Laimer's arrival from RB Leipzig has also increased competition for minutes in the middle of the park, while Ryan Gravenberch is now expected to remain at Bayern for the 2023-24 season.
Back in April, Sabitzer refused to rule out a permanent stay at Old Trafford, having struggled to replicate the form that he displayed at RB Leipzig before his switch to Bayern.
The Austrian recorded 52 goals and 42 assists in 229 games for Leipzig, but he has only amassed two goals and two assists from 54 appearances in a Bayern jersey.
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However, a separate report has claimed that Man United are unlikely to sign Sabitzer permanently this summer, while Barcelona have apparently been offered the chance to prise him away from the Allianz Arena.
Man United are expected to wrap up the signing of Chelsea's Mason Mount imminently, although Ten Hag could lose another couple of lynchpins before the window closes.
Fred and Scott McTominay are both being linked with summer exits after falling behind Eriksen and Casemiro in the pecking order, with the former apparently on the radar of Roma and Fulham.
Meanwhile, West Ham United boss David Moyes has supposedly urged his side to make a move for McTominay, who could arrive at the London Stadium as a replacement for Arsenal-bound Declan Rice.
Ben Knapton
