Manchester United are leading the chase for James Rodriguez after Chelsea pulled out of the race, report The Sun.
The Blues are believed to have been put off by the massive £60million price tag on the Real Madrid man's head and will not be pursuing a move.
It leaves the door open for Jose Mourinho and United to complete a deal.
The Red Devils are still reportedly interested in a January move and will consider stumping up the large transfer fee to complete the deal.
Mourinho is alleged to want a world class No.10 to add another dimension to United's front line.
However, a report in Spanish newspaper AS claims that Rodriguez will not be moving anywhere this January - but could at the end of the season.
Mourinho admits Moyes had tough job replacing Fergie
Jose Mourinho insists he is not burdened by the weight of expectation at Manchester United – unlike his opposite number on Boxing Day, writes Mirror Football's David McDonnell.
David Moyes makes his first return to Old Trafford since he was sacked in April 2014 after just 10 months in charge at United, having succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I don’t feel it as a burden,” said Mourinho. “I feel the great history of the club as only a positive thing and not a negative thing.
“The problem is if you have the conditions to follow that success and history. And then that’s a different story.
“For me it was easy. A difficult job, but easy to feel at home. Easy to feel good in the club, easy to feel that the club wants to progress, the people want to be happy again and I felt good immediately.
“So, after five or six months here, I’m really feeling at home. For me it was quite easy.
“Obviously expectations are high, results are up and down, and we’re in a position that is not the position we want to be.
“But in terms of passion for my work, passion for my new club, and feeling really happy here, yes.”
United squad for Sunderland match revealed
Jose Mourinho should be boosted by the return of Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the clash against Sunderland , report the Press Association.
Manchester United centre-back Bailly has been missing since the win against Crystal Palace due to a knee problem, while Mkhitaryan has been nursing an ankle knock.
However, Mourinho is hopeful the pair will be available again to face the Black Cats.
Luke Shaw is still missing due to a groin strain, but the full-back is making good progress.
Sunderland loanee Adnan Januzaj will sit out the clash with his parent club.
Manchester United squad: De Gea, Romero, Johnstone, Valencia, Fosu-Mensah, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Bailly, Darmian, Blind, Young, Fellaini, Carrick, Herrera, Schweinsteiger, Pogba, Lingard, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Rashford, Rooney, Ibrahimovic.