Manchester United were thought to have done their business this summer, but Jose Mourinho may still pull a rabbit out the hat.
That's because the Red Devils have reportedly tabled a £50m offer for Marco Asensio with Diario Gol claiming the Real Madrid youngster and Gareth Bale are of great interest to United.
Asensio's buy-out clause is tantalisingly set at £74m, low enough to trigger without a thought if the player can be convinced of a move.
Los Blancos are now frantically trying to raise that figure to £552m with contract talks planned.
United will hope to take advantage of the situation by moving for whichever player fails to hold down a first team place in Zinedine Zidane's side.
Bale told to stay at Real amid United links
Chris Coleman believes Real Madrid is the best place for Gareth Bale amid talks of Manchester United's interest in the winger.
Bale has won three Champions League titles with Madrid but has been linked with a move away and is not universally popular with fans at the Bernabeu.
The 28-year-old was whistled by the Bernabeu crowd when he was substituted in Real’s 2-2 draw with Valencia in the Spanish capital on Sunday.
United were reported to be keen and considering an offer of close to £100million, but Wales manager Coleman believes Madrid remains the best place for his star man.
“Gareth has won three Champions Leagues medals. No one else has ever gone to a foreign club from this country and done that. Absolutely nobody can doubt him,” he said.
“Being selfish, I think he’s better off at Real Madrid. You work all your life to get the top and when you get there, you don’t want to give that up. Where do you go from Real Madrid that’s better? “There are one or two clubs up there, but none better.
“Gareth is always a story, he’s one of the best players in the world. Things will be said and that’s the way it is. He knows that. But nobody should ever doubt him about what he is capable of.”
United handed boost in Sancho race
Jadon Sancho’s representatives are set to hold talks with Manchester City on Thursday, as they look to resolve the young winger’s future.
Sancho, 17, wants to leave the Etihad and his situation has escalated since being left behind from City’s pre-season US tour.
Sancho remains on a scholarship deal at the club despite being offered a £30,000-a-week, three-year deal.
But he has grown concerned that there is no clear pathway to the first team and reckons he could play more regularly elsewhere.
His stock is high having been awarded the Golden Ball for player of the tournament at the Under-17 Euros in May, where he had a direct hand in 10 of the Young Lions 15 goals.
